Qualification may be a formality for England but a 1-1 draw against Ukraine showed that Gareth Southgate’s team selection isn’t. The manager has a few issues to work out if they are to meet this great challenge to become trophy winners next summer. This match must still be framed by the fervour of the nominal home team, as an admirable Ukrainian side turned the fervour of the tens of thousands who travelled to the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland into a fine performance.
That raised this entire occasion way beyond a European Championship qualifier, and into something much more special, that often felt like a privilege to witness. The moment of Zinchenko’s opening goal was uplifting.
It is why England could perhaps be forgiven for getting caught a little cold in a game they would have seen as just one more step to an inevitable qualification. This was something else for Ukraine. It was a national event.
Follow all the latest reaction after Ukraine vs England below.
