Summary

  • Use audio icon for 5 live commentary

  • FT: England 2-0 Ukraine - Kane volleys England ahead before Saka curler

  • Maddison makes full debut as Foden ruled out after having appendix out

  • Toney given debut as second-half substitute

  • England start campaign with two wins

  1. Byepublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    That's all from me.

    Northern Ireland are currently drawing 0-0 with Finland so you can follow that here.

    Republic of Ireland take on France tomorrow night (19:45 BST).

    See you later.

  2. What next for England?published at 19:57 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    England's next two European qualifiers are in June when they travel to Malta before hosting North Macedonia.

    They face Ukraine again in September.

  3. 'Commitment has been great'published at 19:54 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    England manager Gareth Southgate on BBC Radio 5 Live: "We were always going to start James Maddison. He's been playing really well for his club so we had no doubt he would fit in. We thought in terms of position and drifting inside from the line with Ben Chilwell going wide would work.

    "His use of the ball was excellent. Both he and Bukayo Saka had a big role to make sure Ukraine couldn't play through us.

    "I'm really pleased with the performance. We challenged the boys at half time because, we didn't keep the ball well enough in Italy, but we were patient enough to keep doing things well tonight.

    "Sometimes players get bored of doing that but today they stayed to the task. The counter-pressure was excellent and I thought the three midfield players did well with that.

    "Psychologically we prepared the team for two tough games and the players have been a joy to work with. Their commitment this week has been great.

    "People like Fraser Forster have come in and been devoted to the team. Marc Guehi, Eric Dier and Aaron Ramsdale didn't get on the field but are delighted to be involved."

    On Phil Foden's surgery: "Thankfully there was no drama with our medical team. Phil [Foden] was reporting for the last day and a half and had certain symptoms so it become apparent he needed to see a specialist.

    "The last I heard he was recovering from surgery and that all appears to have gone well. It's disappointing for him because we wanted him to be involved."

  4. England maintained winning startpublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley

    England maintained their winning start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a comfortable victory over Ukraine at Wembley.

    Gareth Southgate's side built on the foundation of their first away win against Italy since 1961 with an efficient performance that was more than enough to see off the visitors.

    England struggled to build any momentum until record scorer Harry Kane made it 55 international goals when he bundled in Bukayo Saka's cross at the far post eight minutes before half-time.

    The second arrived three minutes later and was all Saka's own work, the Arsenal winger turning away from his man on the edge of the area and curling a superb effort beyond the reach of Anatoliy Trubin and into the top corner.

    Leicester City's James Maddison made a good impression on his first England start while Brentford's Ivan Toney won his first cap as a late substitute, captain Kane making way once there was never any serious danger of a Ukrainian comeback.

    Read the match report here.

  5. 'It has been the perfect week'published at 19:48 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    .Image source, Getty Images

    England captain Harry Kane on BBC Radio 5 Live: "This has been a really special week.

    "Obviously, it started in Italy with that record-breaking goal and a win. It was a magical night. Then you come back to reality and have to make sure we beat Ukraine and we have so it sets us up in a great position in qualifying. It has just been the perfect week.

    "It has been crazy over the last few days. My dad and brother were in Naples so I shared that moment with them. I had my wife and kids here today and those are memories that will always stay with me.

    "I'm proud of the boys for staying focused and getting the job done.

    "It shows the type of team we are. We were all disappointed after the World Cup but the sign of a good team is to come back. We are at the bottom of the hill again but we've put in two great performances and it shows the mentality of the team.

    "Obviously, there's a lot going on a Tottenham but I've really enjoyed this week with England, that's the most important thing and now it's time to get back to my club."

  6. 'We've been really mature'published at 19:43 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    England

    .Image source, Getty Images

    England winger Bukayo Saka speaking to Channel 4 about his goal: "That was definitely up there. As soon as it left my foot I knew it would be on target so it was one of my better goals. Jordan Henderson gave it to me and I knew straight away I was going to shoot.

    "I think it was an excellent team performance and a quick turnaround from the last game. We're happy with the three points.

    "I felt I was getting the ball in good positions and having dangerous attacks for the team so I was happy with my performance.

    "Some of the lads wanted to get on the scoresheet. [James Maddison] had an amazing performance and deserved to score.

    "I think we've been really mature. We can't just look past these games and magically be in the Euros. We have to qualify first.

    "Football is fun and it's always fun. I just hope the happiness can continue to the end of the season."

  7. 'Maddison is undroppable'published at 19:39 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    Chris Sutton
    Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    A lot of people have been calling for James Maddison to start for England long before now.

    I think he deserved a start earlier and he must be undroppable on the basis of today's performance.

  8. 'I wanted to be part of this'published at 19:35 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    England midfielder James Maddison on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It almost feels like a second debut, it was so long ago.

    "I've worked hard. I love football and just wanted to be back in the England squad. I always watch from my living room and wanted to be part of this.

    "As a footballer and someone who strives to be successful it's tough to watch your friends playing and not be involved yourself.

    "It has been a good journey and one I'm proud of. I hope I've gained the manager's trust so he knows he can select me.

    "I did alright. I will be critical when I watch it back, I always am.

    "Gareth [Southgate] said there's no point going to Italy and winning if we come back here and lose this game.

    "It has been a brilliant start to qualification and I'll take this form back to Leicester.

    "I don't listen to the media, it's just about if Gareth selects me. I knew I could change his mind by playing well for Leicester.

    "I think the World Cup was important for me. Even though I didn't play and I was struggling with injury, I was able to be a good-egg around the camp and wasn't down. I supported the lads and that puts me in good stead with the manager."

  9. 'There is still room to grow'published at 19:32 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    England

    More from England boss Gareth Southgate, speaking to Channel 4: "The risk is that when you have control of the game you have the odd sloppy pass but the application throughout was excellent.

    "We have broken down a lot of barriers over a period of time. We still had that question mark over some of the bigger teams.

    "We are starting to win those games now but there is still lots of room for improvement.

    "To back up the Italy result was important but there is still room to grow."

    "We are always trying to think about now and what is next. We did that with James Maddison today. We thought it was a good game to see him. He was defensively very solid. It was nice to get Ivan Toney on the pitch as well. We will always look at people but we have to qualify and we can't take that for granted."

  10. 'Saka has added ruthlessness'published at 19:28 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    England

    England boss Gareth Southgate, speaking to Channel 4: "Really pleased, really pleased with the performance today. In Italy we played very well with the ball in the first half. In the second half we conceded possession cheaply but had to show resilience.

    "We made a difficult game look straightforward. The way-in was either through James Maddison or Bukayo Saka. We stuck to the task really well."

    On Maddison and Ben Chilwell playing down the left: "They know each other well, they have played together at Leicester and that was helpful. Maddison found the spaces well and he had a super game and that didn't surprise me as he has the personality to play that way."

    On Saka and Jude Bellingham: "It is the mentality that is the outstanding part. Everyone can see technical quality but these two boys have the humility and want to learn. They work unbelievably hard and they are a joy to work with.

    "It is a top-level finish [from Saka]. That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren't sure he was going to finish but now he has that confidence in front of goal."

  11. Postpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    Northern Ireland v Finland (19:45 BST)

    Northern Ireland hope to make it two wins from two in qualifying as they take on Finland.

    That kicks off in around 20 minutes. You can follow it here.

  12. 'Southgate unifying England'published at 19:22 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    Dion Dublin
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    99% of England fans are delighted with what Gareth Southgate is doing with this England side. He's never going to please everybody but the way he deals with the players is perfect.

    They all want to play for England now. Everyone is putting their hand up for selection.

    He's created an environment where they can go and express themselves and play with freedom. He's created unity on the training ground.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    Tweet #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    A good solid performance. It's a group match. And they did what was needed.

    Anon

  14. 'I want to learn about the game'published at 19:16 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    England

    England midfielder Jude Bellingham to Channel 4: "It's important we followed the good result in Italy with a win tonight. It feels rewarding.

    "There's so much I've got to learn. I want to win the game in two ends of the pitch. I've always wanted to be someone who can do a bit of everything. I have the best chances with the ones in that dressing room. Every chance I get I want to learn about the game.

    "A lot of it at Dortmund I'm involved in the build-up more. I always feel I get a sense of where the ball lands and I felt I could have done that better today. It's all experience learning that. When I'm playing I'm thinking about a million things and where I can be better.

    "It feels like we have a really good atmosphere in the changing room. We want to express ourselves but there's a side of us with a bit of nastiness. We need to cover all sides of the game and I think we're doing that really well at the moment.

    "That would be the biggest dream and the biggest honour in football I think is to captain your country. There's a long pecking order that I highly respect and I'll wait my turn. In the meantime it's picking up what I can learn from them. This is the best place to do it.

    "We should be looking to win every game. You set yourself a standard and an expectation and it's important you match that. We have to carry that on for the rest of the qualification campaign."

  15. Star Sakapublished at 19:14 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Bukayo Saka, who both scored and assisted against Ukraine, has had a hand in 10 goals in his last 16 games for England in all competitions.

    Aged 21 years and 202 days, Bukayo Saka has scored eight goals for England; only Dixie Dean (16), Jimmy Greaves (16), Wayne Rooney (12) and Michael Owen (10) had scored more at Saka's age.

  16. 'Bellingham has captain potential'published at 19:11 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    Stephen Warnock
    Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Jude Bellingham's decision to go to Germany shows a maturity and how he wants to push himself as a person.

    There's every chance he could even go to Real Madrid and thrive there.

    Could he be captain of England? Absolutely. He already has that aura about him but it depends on how long Harry Kane is around for.

  17. 'Relationships always improving'published at 19:08 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    Dion Dublin
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The organisiation and the pace of the games from the outset has been so good for England.

    There is a great balance between Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield and the relationship with Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane has been fantastic.

    The partnerships and relationships are always improving.

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:06 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply)

    Christian Evans: England won this easy without really getting out of about second gear, Ukraine below average, game was a procession after the goals went in.

  19. 'Dominate with better players'published at 19:04 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    FT: England 2-0 Ukraine

    Stephen Warnock
    Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    My biggest criticism would be that I would like to see Declan Rice move to centre-back so he can stride out of defence when there is no pressure.

    If you're going to dominate possession then do it with better players on the ball.

  20. Elsewhere in European qualifierspublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    Iceland beat Liechtenstein 7-0 (seven) in their qualifier, while Slovenia beat San Marino 2-0.

    Elsewhere, Kazakhstan scored twice late on as they came back from two goals down to stun Denmark 3-2.

    The likes of Portugal, Italy and Northern Ireland are in action from 19:45 BST.