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. 'We really appreciate support'published at 15:54 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will come up against Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka, as well as his former colleagues from Manchester City.

    He said he will always be grateful for the support shown by them and the whole of the UK during a "nightmare" year for his country.

    "I love them all so much, but unfortunately on the pitch there are no friends, so let's see what is going to happen," said Zinchenko.

    "I got a lot of support from all of [my team-mates], for which I am so grateful.

    "I would like to also say a massive thanks to all of the UK for all of the help and support for all of us Ukrainians, for the country, our people, all of the refugees who are living here.

    "It is so important for us. Without your support, it would be so difficult and tough. We really appreciate it."

  2. Team news - Maddison makes full England debutpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    James Maddison makes his first start for England as boss Gareth Southgate makes three changes.

    The Leicester midfielder's only previous international appearance was when he came on as a substitute against Montenegro three-and-a-half years ago.

    Ben Chilwell starts at left back and Jordan Henderson also starts.

    England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell, Henderson, Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Maddison, Kane.

    Subs: Ramsdale, Forster, Trippier, Guéhi, Dier, Grealish, Phillips, Gallagher, Toney.

    Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk starts for Ukraine, along with Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko and Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko.

    Ukraine XI: Trubin, Matviienko, Stepanenko, Svatok, Karavaev, Mykolenko, Zinchenko, Sudakov, Malinovskyi, Mudryk, Yaremchuk.

    Subs: Lunin, 23 Shevchenko, Sobol, Sarapii, Sydorchuk, Konoplianka, Dovbyk, Miroshnichenko, Buyalskiy, Tsygankov, Bondarenko, Pikhalonok.

  3. Ukrainians invited to Wembleypublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    More than 1,000 tickets will be given to Ukrainians and the British families who have welcomed them to watch tonight's qualifier at Wembley.

    Around 4,200 Ukraine fans have bought standard tickets in what will be a sell-out crowd in excess of 85,000.

  4. 'I'm an unemotional person'published at 15:44 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    Northern Ireland v Finland (19:45 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Michael O'Neill has insisted he will remove all personal emotion from the first home game of his second spell as Northern Ireland manager.

    Northern Ireland host Finland at Windsor Park in their second Euro 2024 qualifier, having won 2-0 away to San Marino last Thursday.

    O'Neill, who led the side to the Euro 2016 finals during his first tenure, was reappointed in December.

    "No, not really," he said when asked if tonight will be emotional for him.

    "I'm quite an unemotional person with regard to things like that."

  5. Postpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    We've got full commentary from Wembley on BBC Radio 5 Live, with build-up kicking in from 16:00 BST.

  6. Maddison starts for Englandpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 26 March 2023
    Breaking

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    Gareth Southgate makes three changes to the England side who beat Italy.

    James Maddison, Ben Chilwell and Jordan Henderson come in for Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish.

    Full team news to follow.

  7. Elsewhere in qualifyingpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    *All times BST.

    GROUP J

    • Liechtenstein v Iceland (17:00)
    • Luxembourg v Portugal (19:45)
    • Slovakia v Bosnia-Herzegovina (19:45)

    GROUP C

    • Malta v Italy (19:45)

    GROUP H

    • Slovenia v San Marino (17:00)
    • Northern Ireland v Finland (19:45 - follow live here)
  8. Foden out as England's squad reducedpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    England have a smaller squad of 20 tonight with several players dropping out over the last few days.

    Manchester City's Phil Foden was ruled out just a few hours ago having had surgery to remove his appendix this morning.

    Chelsea defender Reece James withdrew over the weekend after an injury, while Manchester United's Luke Shaw is suspended.

    There had been concerns over the fitness of midfielders Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips but they are all available.

    Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope pulled out last week.

  9. Postpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 26 March 2023

    England v Ukraine (17:00 BST)

    England got off to the perfect start in European qualifying with a crucial victory in Italy on Thursday night.

    Can they back that up with a win at Wembley against Ukraine?

    Kick-off is an hour and a half away.

    .Image source, Getty Images