England maintained their winning streak against Ukraine with a stunning goal from Bukayo Saka after Harry Kane extended his goal-scoring streak.
The remarkable 2-1 victory over Euro 2020 champions Italy on Thursday, according to Gareth Southgate, could only be viewed as a magnificent result if it was followed up by a victory at Wembley.
In their first home game since making it to the World Cup quarterfinals, England did not let their fans down as Kane and Saka scored late in the first half to secure a 2-0 victory over Ukraine.
Sets up the first ➡️ Scores a worldie 🌍
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2023
Bukayo Saka 🌶️#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/rzC2ZcuEeO
It was the perfect return from their toughest-looking Euro 2024 double-header, meaning Southgate’s side are already well placed to progress from a group completed by North Macedonia and Malta.
England are expected to get maximum points against those nations in June, when Kane could add a flurry to his national team scoring record that stands at 55 after his first-half opener.
The skipper, who was presented with a commemorative golden boot for his historic strike in Naples, fired in after meeting a fine cross by Saka, who went onto score a superb effort three minutes later.
The 21-year-old’s fantastic 20-yard curler was his eighth international goal and all but ended this Group C clash a contest.
Given England’s struggles after half-time in Italy and an already-depleted squad being further diminished by Phil Foden needing appendix surgery on Sunday morning, Southgate will not mind the largely forgettable second half here.
Ahead of the game both sets of players posed with a Ukrainian flag that read ‘peace’ in a show of solidarity as the country continues to fight invading Russia.
More than 1,000 displaced Ukrainians and their host families were invited to the match as special guests of the Football Association.
The 4,200-strong away contingent were in fine voice from the outset but there was a collective early gasp when Kane rose to his feet claiming for a penalty following a clumsy Oleksandr Svatok challenge.