England backed up their win over Italy with a comfortable 2-0 success against Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday evening
Bukayo Saka lit up Wembley with a world-class display as England cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win against Ukraine on Sunday.
The Arsenal star set up the first goal for Harry Kane on 37 minutes with a wonderful ball in before scoring the second himself three minutes later, bending a fabulous effort into the top corner from 20 yards.
It was a wonderful finish from a player operating at the top of his game and one that allowed England to see out the contest with ease after the interval.
The hosts had chances to extend their advantage in the second half and some of the wasteful finishing will be the only thing that will have frustrated Gareth Southgate after another impressive win.
England, who beat Italy 2-1 in Naples on Thursday night, have now started their Euro 2024 campaign with back-to-back successes and sit top of Group C with six points from a possible six.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Wembley…
GettyWINNER: Bukayo Saka
Is there anything Bukayo Saka can’t do?
Saka is at the very top of his game right now, whether it be for club or country. And the scary thing is he not even 22 yet.
This was a game that seemed to be just drifting towards half-time, with Ukraine comfortably keeping England at bay for 37 minutes.
Then, in the space of three minutes, Saka turned the match on its head with two moments of pure quality.
The first was a devilish cross which Harry Kane turned home to make it 1-0 and then the second was a quite wonderful curling effort from 20 yards which flashed into the top corner to double England’s advantage.
It was Saka at his very best and just another example of why the 21-year-old is right up there with the best Europe has to offer right now.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Mykhailo Mudryk
Mudryk would have been hoping to impress at Wembley and show everyone in England that he has what it takes to star in the Premier League despite his underwhelming start to life at Chelsea.
But instead, the winger endured another frustrating afternoon, with Kyle Walker keeping him very quiet as the Manchester City full-back used all his experience to dominate the 22-year-old.
And on the odd occasion Mudryk did escape Walker’s clutches he was unable to make an impact, slashing wildly at a couple of efforts that did not threaten Jordan Pickford in the England goal.
Mudryk clearly has a lot of quality and it’s far too early to write him off after his slow start at Stamford Bridge. But he’s really struggling for confidence and looks like a player desperate for something to happen that will spark him into life.
That didn't happen at Wembley, however, and the longer he goes without producing some performances of note, the louder the voices are going to grow over his ability to cut it at the highest level.
GettyWINNER: Kyle Walker
It was clear after just a couple of minutes that Walker was relishing his job against a player of Mudryk’s pace.
Walker seems at his best when he is up against a winger who he knows could cause him problems and this was one of the occasions.
The Manchester City right-back was on it from the start and did not give Mudryk an inch of encouragement during the early stages.
That set the tone for the rest of the evening, with Walker comfortably seeing off the Chelsea attacker, who became more and more of a passenger before being replaced after an hour.
GettyLOSER: Phil Foden
News of Phil Foden’s departure from the England squad was announced just before kick-off.
The Manchester City star, who came on as a substitute against Italy on Thursday night, had to withdraw due to acute appendicitis.
It was announced he had to undergo an operation ahead of the game and he will now have to spend some time on the sidelines as he recovers from the surgery.
His absence did not impact England, but it will be a major blow to both Foden and to Pep Guardiola, with so many crucial games on the horizon for Manchester City.