The England national team fell into a 1-1 draw with its Ukrainian host on Saturday evening in Poland, in the third group of the European Cup 2024 qualifiers
Ukraine advanced first through Oleksandr Zinchenko (26), before Kyle Walker equalized for England in the 41st minute
England retained the lead with 13 points, while Ukraine remained again at 7 points, and Italy will play later in the same group against North Macedonia
England coach Gareth Southgate relied on a 4-3-3 system, with Mark Guehi standing alongside Harry Maguire deep in the back line, supported by full-backs Kyle Walker and Ben Chilwell
Declan Rice played the role of the focal player, and Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham moved in front of him, behind the attacking trio consisting of Bukayo Saka, James Maddison and Harry Kane
On the other hand, the Ukrainian national team coach, Sergei Reberov, resorted to the 4-2-3-1 system, where the back line consisted of Jochim Konoplya, Ilya Zabernyi, Mykolo Metviyenko, and Vitaly Mikulniko
Taras Stepanenko stood next to Oleksandr Zychenko in the middle of the field, while the trio of Hoerhi Sudakov, Viktor Zhigankov and Mykhailo Modric moved behind the outspoken striker Roman Yaremchuk
The English team was late in creating a threat against Ukraine's goal until the 13th minute, when the ball inside the penalty area reached Saka, who dribbled before shooting, but Stepanenko put one foot forward in front of his attempt
The Ukrainian team surprised its opponent in the 26th minute, when Konoplia made his way down the right side, before passing a typical ball into the penalty area, which Zinchenko met with a direct follow-up into the goal
The England team tried to respond quickly in the 28th minute, when Henderson received a pass from Saka, before shooting the ball over the goal
Bellingham penetrated the Ukrainian defense, before passing to Maddison, who received the ball recklessly, escaping him from the opportunity to score in the 36th minute
The England team was able to equalize the score in the 41st minute, when Kane sent a pass over the defenders, allowing Walker to break the offside trap on the right side and face the goalkeeper before calmly putting the ball into the net
In stoppage time, a cross ball reached Kane, who met it with his head towards the far post, but the ball did not find a follower in front of the goal
The English team started the second half attacking, and Walker sent a cross from the right side, which Maguire headed over the goal in the 52nd minute
England missed a dangerous opportunity in the 59th minute, when Kane's pass inside the penalty area reached Saka, who fired a shot that hit the crossbar
Kane finally had a chance in the 64th minute, when he caught a long ball on the edge of the penalty area, before shooting with his left hand just wide
Southgate brought in Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford instead of Maddison and Billingham, and the goalkeeper easily controlled a new header from Maguire in the 72nd minute
England almost achieved victory in the 85th minute, when the goalkeeper blocked a free kick taken by Rashford and the ball reached Henderson, who passed it to Maguire, who was unable to follow the ball from a short distance