England have moved three points clear at the top of Group C of the Euro 2024 qualifiers after seeing off Ukraine 2-0 at Wembley.
After a tentative opening half-hour, The Three Lions eventually broke the deadlock through Harry Kane on the 37th minute, with the Tottenham forward making a deft run in behind his marker to convert a precision Bukayo Saka cross, subsequently extending his lead as the nation’s all-time top scorer.
It was the Arsenal forward who then stole the headlines for himself three minutes later. After setting up England’s opener, Saka made the second for himself, jinking in-field from a Jordan Henderson pass before curling top bins from outside the box. It was a moment of magic from the wing wizard.
Indeed, the fleet-footed Arsenal attacker has been producing wonders for his club all season as they current sit atop the Premier League table and harbour aspirations of usurping Manchester City. And that quality filtered over to England tonight, with the 21-year-old producing the goods once again for his country.
England had a few opportunities after that, but nothing concrete, with Gareth Southgate happy for his side to hog the ball and knock it about. Ukraine failed to trouble Jordan Pickford between the sticks, with just the single shot all match (off target) and only 41% possession.
There was nothing spectacular about England’s performance, more so from individuals, but it was a professional job done against a resilient Ukraine side, and it gives the nation two wins from two to start their European Championship qualifying campaign — following on from Thursday’s 2-1 Italy win.
Although there wasn’t much to take away from the Ukraine performance, fans were quick to assess the showing of Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk in almost stark contrast with Saka. The 22-year-old speedster had little joy against Kyle Walker, and left the field on the hour mark after an incredibly frustrating afternoon.
He was dispossessed four times during the game, which was double any other player, while he also failed to create a single chance. Mudryk’s time will certainly come, but his quiet afternoon in comparison to Saka’s electric showing naturally sent Arsenal fans on social media into overdrive.
The Ukrainian looked set to join The Gunners in January, but for Chelsea reportedly hijacking the deal and ultimately sealing his signature. Yet to really come to life in west London, fans took his tentative performance in the captial as a chance to suggest they dodged a bullet…
Arsenal sigh with relief they didn't spend on him.
— ★Lel (@Goonerlel) March 26, 2023
Pic of the day . pic.twitter.com/KwAa5AmpcU
— LH14 (@F3xEr) March 26, 2023
Mykhailo Mudryk's game by numbers vs. England:
30 touches
12x possession lost
9 duels contested
1 duel won
1 shot
1 successful take-on
0 crosses
0 chances createdFailed to make an impact. ? pic.twitter.com/yNakZ3evDk
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) March 26, 2023
Mudryk with the perfect view of that saka cross
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) March 26, 2023
All jokes a side how on earth did Shaktar get 100m out of Chelsea for Mudryk?
— 天蝎座 (@UtdEIIis) March 26, 2023
Saka is playing football, Mudryk is sitting on the floor? pic.twitter.com/0cST2PETEx
— UpYourArsenal?⚪?⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04) March 26, 2023
I’m not even joking when I say Antony Elanga has more to offer than Mudryk. pic.twitter.com/Y5mclA1BT8
— Morgan (@utdscope) March 26, 2023