Europe 1 with AFP 21:18 p.m., March 26, 2023

After its victory in Italy (2-1) on Thursday, England followed up by beating Ukraine (2-0) on Sunday, making an ideal start in the qualifying matches for Euro 2024. With six points, England take control of Group C ahead of North Macedonia who have three and are exempt for this day.

Great specialists of the qualifying phases, England begins with two victories in two matches for the fifth consecutive campaign, Euro and World combined. The English won 2-0 against Ukraine and take the lead in their qualifying group for Euro 2024. The Three Lions started rather limp while Ukraine, who finished the match having struck only three times without framing a single one, were particularly disappointing.

Gareth Southgate had made a change per line: a forced one in defence, due to the red card received by Luke Shaw at Napoli and which benefited Ben Chilwell, while in midfield, Jordan Henderson started in place of Kalvin Phillips and James Maddison had his first start in place of Jack Grealish in attack.

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Dazzling Bukayo Saka

After a very long period of observation, Ukraine conceded in two actions where England did not even have to create a big imbalance to score, the talent of its attacking players sufficient, especially that of Bukayo Saka. Already sparkling with Arsenal, well on his way to winning the Premier League this season, the young winger (21) tipped the game in three minutes and two strokes.

The first of a wrapped centre who found the inevitable Harry Kane for his 55th goal in selection, which consolidates his status as the best English scorer in history (1-0, 37th). Three minutes later, Saka, starting from the right, transplanted in the axis and curled a strike from the left to find the opposite window in a gesture that his idol and illustrious predecessor at the Gunners, Thierry Henry, although right-handed, would not have denied (2-0, 40th).

While most of its players have a hellish pace coming for the end of the season, England then controlled the pace. Southgate can only be disappointed by his side's inability to score a third goal despite a few good chances, which probably prevented him from turning more. The results of this gathering, the first after the disappointment in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, against France (2-1), remains however largely positive. In June, in Malta and at home against North Macedonia, the goal will still be to fill up to already have a foot in Germany.