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      Sarina Wiegman concerned by ‘short turnaround’ for Lionesses between Women’s Nations League and World Cup

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      SARINA WIEGMAN admits to being concerned by the “tight turnaround” for her players between the World Cup and the Women’s Nations League. The Lionesses boss was speaking on Wednesday after announcing her squad for clashes with Scotland and the Netherlands this month.
      Sarina Wiegman wants to see more talks between coaches and Fifa and Uefa regarding match scheduling for international playersCredit: PA
      Keira Walsh has been left out of England’s squad due to a calf injury sustained ahead of their first two Women’s Nations League gamesCredit: Getty
      Bethany England is also unavailable for Lionesses duty with the striker recovering from a hip operationCredit: Reuters
      Keira Walsh and Bethany England, who featured for the team during the World Cup, will both be absent due to calf and hip injuries.  
      And Wiegman mentioned some players having just six days off in between the end of the tournament and the start of England’s training camp for the Women’s Nations League. 
      They include Arsenal stars Alessia Russio and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
      While Wubben-Moy did not play in the World Cup, Russo appeared in seven games for England at the tournament including their 1-0 loss to Spain in the final on August 20.

      Both are included in Wiegman’s 24-strong Women’s Nations League squad
      The team will play Pedro Losa’s Scotland side on September 22 at the Stadium of Light and the Netherlands in Utrecht on the 26th.
      Of her concerns about the short break for players between the contests, Wiegman said: “I was worried before the World Cup and we knew it was a short turnaround. 
      “We really have to get connected with Fifa and Uefa to make that better. 
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      “Next week they come in and some players have only had six days off which after such a high-pressure competition is not good for them.
      “We have major tournaments in the summer all the time (at the moment).
      “The urgency to solve it and make it better is really high. 
      “We all know the challenges have been addressed for a while now but we also know changes cannot be made overnight. 
      “But the conversations are going on and we just need to keep doing that and hopefully find a better solution to what we have.”
      Midfield ace Walsh will miss the team’s battle with Scotland in their first ever Women’s Nations League game on September 22 due to a “small calf injury”. 
      It follows the Barcelona and Lionesses star sustaining and recovering from a knee injury in July during the World Cup. 
      And Tottenham striker England is currently recuperating after undergoing surgery on September 4 to treat her hip problem.
      Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier has been included in England’s squad for their games against Scotland and the NetherlandsCredit: Getty
      Lucy Staniforth, Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park have all been named in the squad after being included on Wiegman’s World Cup standby list before the contest in Australia and New Zealand. 
      But Beth Mead and Fran Kirby have been left out with the duo needing more game time after returning to club action for Arsenal and Chelsea. 
      Wiegman added: “Beth (Mead) needs to take the next step to get games and get consistency.
      “Fran (Kirby) is really close. She played some friendlies already and did well.
      “Again it is a little too early. I am very looking forward to seeing them play.”
      England’s squad update comes 13 days after Wiegman dedicated her Uefa Women’s Coach of the Year award to World Cup winners Spain.
      The team saw their triumph overshadowed by former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales being slammed for planting an unwanted kiss on the lips of forward Jenni Hermoso. 
      This month during an interview with Piers Morgan he announced he had quit his role following the row.
      The ex-Spain football federation chief, who has been provisionally suspended by Fifa, will appear in a Madrid court on Friday.
      This follows Hermoso, who is her national side’s record goalscorer, filing a legal complaint against him. 
      And Wiegman hopes more attention will be paid to Spain’s World Cup triumph rather than the controversy surrounding Rubiales.
      Wiegman wants more attention paid to Spain’s triumph at the World Cup rather than the row concerning Luis RubialesCredit: Getty
      She added: “We would like to leave that now and celebrate those players.
      “Players need to be listened to and we need to move on. 
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      “The women’s game has improved so much but there’s still a long way to go, not only in Spain but everywhere.
      “We need to try and make the world better for those players.” More

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      Bellingham the star of the show with a goal and assist but unlucky Maguire suffers another disaster

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      PHIL FODEN and Jude Bellingham answered questions with a goal each as England comfortably saw off Scotland in this 150th anniversary friendly.Sub Harry Maguire slid an own goal to give the Scots hope before Harry Kane rounded off England’s 3-1 win at Hampden Park.
      Jude Bellingham scored one and teed up the third in his star man showCredit: Getty
      Kalvin Phillips, seen being hassled by Scotland’s Callum McGregor, also impressed for England, despite limited game time for Man CityCredit: PA
      Kyle Walker and Lewis Dunk show England’s focus at the back as Kieran Tierney gets in a rare effort on goal for ScotlandCredit: Willie Vass
      Boss Gareth Southgate fielded Lewis Dunk alongside Marc Guehi in the middle of a promising, new-look defence.
      And Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips impressed on his recall in midfield, while Marcus Rashford also justified his start up front.
      Here’s how the Three Lions fared on a night when most things came right for Southgate.
      AARON RAMSDALE – 6
      First half he only had pass-backs to be concerned with as Scots failed to apply pressure.
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      Assured with feet. But then left helpless by Maguire’s deflection.
      KYLE WALKER – 7
      His driven ball across the six yard box for England’s opener.
      One embarrassing failure to control a simple pass was his sole blemish. One of best right-backs on planet.
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      KIERAN TRIPPER – 6
      Newcastle United full-back had nothing to worry him in opening 45 minutes with Scots offering nothing down right.
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      Then Robertson changed that second half with well crafted assist.
      MARC GUEHI – 6
      Crystal Palace centre-back was superb. Cruised it. Built like a brick wall but plenty of class to complement the muscle.
      Survived VAR penalty check for handball. Subbed.
      LEWIS DUNK – 7
      Brighton rock. Imperious in air, comfortably dealing with few troublesome crosses that came into the box.
      Squandered England’s first chance with wayward effort. Commanding show.
      DECLAN RICE – 7
      The £105million man barely broke sweat in the engine room. Effortless on the ball and solid in the tackle. He strutted about, breaking up play, making passes.
      KALVIN PHILLIPS – 7
      Man City midfielder got a booking for clattering into Adams. He provided the steel but he also showed an assured touch. Dependable performer alongside Rice.
      PHIL FODEN – 6
      Celebrated a 32nd minute tap in from six yards and that made up for an earlier shocking miss at point-blank range. Felt like he played within himself. Subbed – 6
      JUDE BELLINGHAM – 9
      Five goals in first four games for Real Madrid and £88 million ace displayed tremendous ability. Clinical finish from 12-yards. Great assist. Booked. Subbed. STAR MAN
      HARRY KANE – 7
      England’s greatest international goal-scorer and their captain was a subdued presence for much of game. But still goal number 59 for country, 86th cap. Subbed.
      MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
      Electric pace down left and coming in. Dovetailed well with Bellingham. Flashing footwork added to tough challenge for Hickey. Man Utd frontman subbed with 20 minutes left.
      Phil Foden watches his opener in the friendly at Hampden ParkCredit: Getty
      Bellingham fired England 2-0 up before a tougher second halfCredit: Reuters
      SUBS:
      Harry Maguire – can’t get a game for Man United but Gareth Southgate’s stayed loyal. On for Guehi. Dire OG from Robertson cross – 4
      Bukayo Saka – got on closing stages against Arsenal pal Tierney – 5
      Eberechi Eze – Denied a goal by a fine save from by Gunn – 5
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      Callum Wilson – N/A
      Conor Gallagher – N/A More

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      Scotland 1 England 3: Jude Bellingham the star of the show as Three Lions smash Scots despite Harry Maguire shocker

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      AFTER Jude Bellingham had netted England’s second goal in three minutes, he stood in front of the gleeful travelling supporters with his arms outstretched. This newly-trademarked celebration, which the Brummie Galactico has been using since his arrival at Real Madrid, served as a delicious slap-down to a Scotland side who’d been threatening to get above their station. 
      Jude Bellingham starred as England beat ScotlandCredit: Getty
      Phil Foden opened the scoring for EnglandCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Foden deflected Kyle Walker’s wayward shot past Angus GunnCredit: Getty

      Sit down, shut up, get back in your box, Bellingham seemed to be saying, as he posed like Christ the Redeemer gazing down over Rio. And the noisy neighbours were silenced.  
      One of the reasons why Real paid a nine-figure transfer fee for the Englishman is that he knows exactly how good he is. 
      There is just the correct degree of arrogance about Bellingham, who led a swaggering England performance against a Scotland side with a 100 per cent qualifying record in the Euros, who had fancied their chances of defeating the auld enemy.
      Harry Maguire had given Scotland renewed hope – first by arriving at the interval, then by netting an own-goal to the delight of the home supporters who baited him ceaselessly. 
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      But, having also played his part in Phil Foden’s opener, Bellingham then provided a gorgeous assist for Harry Kane to kill off the Scots with England’s third. 
      After that goal, Southgate turned to the stands and gave it a proper double fist-pump. 
      They can try to bill this fixture as a friendly all they like, but it matters. And it matters every bit as much to the English as it does to the Tartan Army.
      It had been party time in Glasgow with the Scots experiencing an unfamiliar euphoria, on the brink of qualification for next summer’s Euros.
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      There were men in skirts everywhere you looked, The Proclaimers were threatening to go on one long walk after another, and the big screens were trumpeting ‘150 years of glory’ – which we must have missed south of the border. 
      God Save The King was roundly howled at, the bagpipes did their terrible thing, a minute’s silence for former Scotland boss Craig Brown was sadly ruined and then it was game time.
      Southgate made six changes to his starting line-up from the stodgy draw against Ukraine but there was still plenty of experience in the England side.
      As in Poland on Saturday, England began by dominating the ball and creating little. 
      Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice were relishing the midfield dog work but it took 25 minutes of probing before the visitors managed a decent opportunity. 
      Marcus Rashford’s pass fed Bellingham, whose overhit cross found Kyle Walker to drive wide of the far post – the Manchester City defender close to a second England goal in as many games after 76 without one. 
      But in the 32nd minute, England were in front with a goal that dripped with class, starting with a Kieran Trippier throw-in from the left-back position and nine passes later, including a gorgeous over-the-shoulder number from Rashford to Bellingham, Walker fed Foden who scored. 
      There had been much pre-match debate about Foden’s best position – and he has rarely produced his best form in an England shirt – but the City man is always a goal threat, wherever he plays. 
      Bellingham doubled England’s leadCredit: Reuters
      The midfielder continued the good form that he has shown at Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Bellingham had rushed off to taunt the Scottish fans before Foden’s shot had even hit the back of the net.  
      He would have enjoyed the blissful hush across the vast majority of Hampden and two minutes later it was quieter still. 
      It had been another fine passing move from Southgate’s side but after a Bellingham back-heel and a Foden centre from the left, the most important pass was the inexplicable one which Scotland skipper Andy Robertson played to Bellingham inside his own area.
      The Real Madrid man gleefully snapped it up, slotted past Angus Gunn and stood for some time with his arms out-stretched, Rice chuckling at his team-mate’s bravado. 
      Scotland joined in for a while before half-time but aside from a couple of goalmouth scrambles, there was little to trouble the English.
      Phillips was booked for a meaty challenge and Walker got stuck into Ryan Porteous during some heated afters. 
      Maguire replaced Marc Guehi at half-time and the former Manchester United skipper was the subject of ironic jeers from the Scottish fans every time he touched the ball.
      “Harry Maguire, he’s taking the p***,” responded the England supporters – but not for long.
      Harry Maguire gave Scotland a life-line as he scored an own-goalCredit: Reuters
      Eberechi Eze was denied by a great save from Angus GunnCredit: Getty
      Billy Gilmour fizzed a shot narrowly over Aaron Ramsdale’s bar but Bellingham still had his strut on, including a wonderful aerial back-heeled pass to Harry Kane. 
      It all changed, though, midway through the second half when Robertson crossed low from the right and Maguire stuck out a boot to prevent the ball from reaching sub Lyndon Dykes and diverted it past Ramsdale. 
      The Scots were cock-a-hoop – especially at the identity of the inadvertent goalscorer – and the Hampden roar was back like a smirking thunderstorm. 
      Robertson whipped in a cross, John McGinn headed narrowly wide at the near post and, briefly, England were rocking. 
      Southgate hauled off Foden and Rashford, sending on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.
      And the Palace wideman, winning his second cap, was soon sent clean through only for Gunn to make a smothering stop. 
      Bellingham set off on a gliding dribble and forced Gunn into another save. 
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      Next, Bellingham toasted Ryan Christie with an outrageous swivel and slipped through a pass for Kane to drive past Gunn. 
      Southgate showed some mercy by taking off his best player but Hampden was emptying fast and all the crowing came with an English accent. 
      Harry Kane scored England’s third goalCredit: Reuters
      Kane’s goal made sure of the win for EnglandCredit: Reuters More

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      England star starts in new position as Southgate makes tactical tweak for crunch Scotland clash

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      KIERAN TRIPPIER is starting for England against Scotland – however he is in a new position.The Three Lions face Scotland in a revival of their epic rivalry at Hampden Park tonight.
      Kieran Trippier is set to start at left-back for EnglandCredit: Getty
      Manager Gareth Southgate is believed to have made a change to his defensive line.
      Trippier, 32, has been named in the starting eleven he will be playing at left-back.
      This means that goalscorer against Ukraine Kyle Walker will keep his spot at right back.
      However, it does mean that Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell could drop to the bench.
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      It is thought that the decision has been made to counter-act Scotland’s Aaron Hickey, who will be up against Trippier.
      Hickey likes to cut inside from the wing, which would suit the right-footed Newcastle defender.
      Trippier is more accustomed to playing on the other side of the backline having played the role for his whole career.
      The match against Scotland follows England’s 1-1 draw against Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday evening.
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      There are also a number of other England stars who will be hoping to start the game.
      Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Levi Colwill, and Eddie Nketiah will all be aiming to get some minutes.

      Eberechi Eze and Conor Gallagher could also feature as Southgate shuffles his pack.
      Southgate is expecting a tough match as he said: “It’s another really good test.
      “Another hostile environment, against a team that are playing really well.
      “You know, they’re in great form, full of confidence so it’s another important learning step for us.” More

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      England in danger of falling back into ‘boring Gareth’ territory if Southgate leaves out lightning rod Foden vs Scotland

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      IF England do not defeat their oldest enemy at Hampden Park, we are in danger of drifting back into ‘Boring, boring Gareth’ territory.After seven years as Three Lions boss, Gareth Southgate says he “understands the never-ending cycle” which comes with a job they used to consider impossible.
      Gareth Southgate backed his decision to stand by Henderson in his pre-match press conferenceCredit: Getty
      But faces pressure to bring Foden into the midfieldCredit: PA
      Since Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine, there has been a renewed clamour for Phil Foden to start in a central role in place of Jordan Henderson.
      But before tonight’s clash with Scotland, though, Southgate was having none of it.
      Foden says he prefers to operate in central midfield but Southgate, damningly, asked why Pep Guardiola rarely plays him there for Manchester City.
      And he suggested Foden could only do so against weaker opposition because he is not strong enough out of possession.
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      And Scotland are no weak opponents these days.
      Steve Clarke’s men have a 100 per cent record in their Euro 2024 qualifying group and they are up for planting a proper Glasgow kiss on Southgate’s side.
      The Three Lions could do with a win here to silence a seething mass of unusually-confident Scots — and to avoid a serious change in mood from the English public towards Southgate.
      But Southgate is never one to play to the galleries when it comes to team selections.
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      He insisted that 33-year-old Henderson — who has opted for semi-retirement in the Saudi Pro League — produced his most energetic England performance ever against Ukraine in Wroclaw.
      The message was clear — Southgate is in no mood to ditch the former Liverpool captain.
      It is the issue of Foden which has again become a lightning rod for those who believe Southgate — England’s most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey — is terminally cautious.
      It seems, though, that the manager will continue to regard the City player as a second-string wideman rather than a first-choice playmaker.
      Asked if Foden can play in a midfield three in England’s biggest matches, Southgate said: “He doesn’t play there for his club. So presumably there is a reason for that. It depends on the level of the game, really. In the middle of the park, everyone wants to talk about players with the ball but there is a lot of detail without the ball.
      “And in the Ukraine game, you are playing opponents who are so clever with their passing and movement that you have to be spot-on with pressing angles, your responsibilities and if you don’t, you don’t get the flow of the game.
      “You’d have to speak to Pep, who is the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide.
      “He’s always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide, though, and that’s important.”
      Foden believes central midfield is his best position, though?
      “But he doesn’t play there!” Southgate replied
      Has he discussed it with Pep then?
      “Yes, yes,” said Southgate and then left a very pregnant pause before adding: “We are very happy with Phil. He’s played in the Euros, came on in the semi-final of the Euros and had a big impact.
      “He’s played at a World Cup, he’s only 23, he’s got amazing experiences.
      “He is still progressing and learning but he is a super player.
      “We’ve got a lot of really good young players, so it’s not been straightforward.
      “He has been with us from a young age and was in the team that won the Under-17 World Cup but he’s battling against Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford and all of the other players we have in that area of the pitch and at his club, with an incredibly high level of players.”
      Southgate still regards Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice as his first-choice midfield three — and that may not change before next summer’s Euros finals.
      With Henderson’s controversial move to Al-Ettifaq making him an unpopular selection for footballing and ethical reasons, Southgate used his running stats in Poland on Saturday to champion the veteran’s cause
      Southgate said: “We have got good contacts at his club, so we have been monitoring his level.
      “The physical outputs have been mixed because the climate has been different for different games but he was in good physical condition.
      “All of his data, he was hitting what he should have done. And his outputs on Saturday were the highest he has had at an England game.
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      “In terms of the job he was doing, he had to cover a lot of space.
      “Our midfield wasn’t as tight as we might have been and Hendo and Dec covered a lot of ground and closed a lot of spaces up. It was absolutely critical to us getting a result.” More

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      Gareth Southgate reveals key England star has tried to retire TWICE only to be talked out of it by the boss

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      KYLE WALKER has tried to quit international football TWICE under Gareth Southgate.The Manchester City defender wanted to retire after both Euro 2020 and Qatar 2022 but England boss Southgate persuaded the right-back to stay on both occasions.
      Manchester City star Kyle Walker thought about retiring twice from EnglandCredit: Getty
      England boss Gareth Southgate talked Walker out of international retirementCredit: Getty
      After Walker, 33, scored his first goal in 77 internationals in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine on Saturday, Southgate revealed: “All credit to him and I’ve talked him out of retirement twice.
      “Out of international football. After the Euros and after the World Cup.
      “He loves being here and he’s wanted to keep going and now he’s thinking about how many caps he can get. He’s critical to us.
      “If we’re talking about world class players in their position in our team then he’s probably one of them.”
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      Asked to confirm Southgate’s revelations that he wanted to quit, Walker said: “Yes. In a moment, at the time, me and Gareth spoke.
      “The likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Tripps [Kieran Trippier] and Reece James were coming through. You think your days are numbered.
      “And to sacrifice how many holidays and summers that I’ve sacrificed…
      “I’ve been doing this since I was 19 when I joined the senior team. I’m 33 now.
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      “Me and Gareth have a good relationship off the field, we do speak and I feel that I can still bring something to the team. So why stop?”
      Walker delivered a strong performance in the qualifier in the Polish city of Wroclaw and is a certain starter for Southgate despite his many options at right-back.
      The England team arrived in Glasgow late Saturday night for the friendly against Scotland.
      Southgate is likely to make a number of changes and that could include giving a first cap to Chelsea defender Levi Colwill at some stage during the match at Hampden Park.
      England’s previous trip to Glasgow was a 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier in 2017. More

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      Ukraine 1 England 1: Kyle Walker comes to the rescue after Zinchenko’s opener but Three Lions lose 100% Euro 2024 record

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      KYLE WALKER’S maiden international goal, in his 77th England appearance, kept Gareth Southgate’s side on course for next summer’s Euros. A stunning assist from skipper Harry Kane allowed the outstanding Manchester City full-back to equalise just before half-time after Oleksandr Zinchenko had fired Ukraine into a shock lead. 
      Kyle Walker rescued a draw for England against UkraineCredit: AP
      Oleksandr Zinchenko fired Ukraine into the leadCredit: Getty
      Zinchenko celebrates netting the openerCredit: Reuters
      Walker netted an equaliser before half timeCredit: PA
      The goal was Walker’s first ever for EnglandCredit: Getty
      But this was England’s most disappointing performance since the World Cup group-stage draw with the United States, as they gave up their 100 per cent record in this qualifying campaign. 
      Despite a host of in-form attacking players, Southgate’s team lacked their usual fluency and failed to create enough clear-cut chances despite dominating possession at the Tarczynski Arena in the Polish city of Ukraine. 
      A passionate crowd of displaced Ukrainian fans, exiled from their war-torn homeland, roared on Sergiy Rebrov’s side, who defended stoutly and were threatening on the counter-attack. 
      England will now have to wait until next month’s Wembley clash with Italy, at the earliest, before they clinch qualification for the finals in Germany. 
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      The Three Lions now face an in-form Scotland in a Hampden Park ‘friendly’ on Tuesday and Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army will have little to fear on the basis of this sloppy display.
      Southgate could call on a clutch of players inspired by summer moves – Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Maddison. 
      But his most controversial selection was that of Jordan Henderson, whose switch to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq has caused a storm with LGBT fans, while also casting doubt on his international future in footballing terms. 
      Ukraine’s players were draped in their national flag for the anthems and there was a feverish atmosphere before kick-off among the thousands of Ukrainian fans living here in Poland.
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      Jordan Henderson started for England in midfieldCredit: Reuters
      Jude Bellingham started the game with confidenceCredit: Getty
      England were utterly dominant early on – with Bellingham full of confidence and invention – but they were unable to carve out a decent scoring opportunity.
      Bukayo Saka appeared to be inhibited by an early knock and Ukraine, having defended assuredly, began to grow as an attacking force. 
      There were a few shaky moments for the English defence before Ukraine seized the lead on 26 minutes.
      Their right-back Yukhym Konoplia surged down the right past Ben Chilwell and cut back for Zinchenko to drill home – England’s midfield having failed to pick up the Arsenal man’s run and Jordan Pickford diving the wrong way. 
      England were provoked into a renewed sense of urgency but Henderson skied a shot and Southgate’s side were beginning to show frustration – Maddison booked for a foul on Illia Zabarnyi. 
      Bellingham carved open the Ukraine defence with a diagonal pass but Maddison failed to capitalise with a poor first touch. 
      The place was rocking and England appeared to be wilting. They needed something out of the ordinary to equalise – and that’s what they produced.  
      Kane had dropped so deep he was standing next to his central defenders, to the side of the centre circle, when he conjured a visionary diagonal pass all of 40 yards towards Walker.
      Harry Kane set up Walker’s goalCredit: Reuters
      Walker finally netted for England on his 77th capCredit: Reuters

      The City defender chested down, rifled past Georgiy Bushchan and survived a VAR check for offside to break his duck after 12 years as an international footballer. 
      After the break Maguire headed on to the roof of the net from a Walker cross and a Henderson centre had Bushchan sprawling.
      But a sloppy Bellingham pass afforded Ukraine a half-chance but Georgiy Sudakov screwed his shot well wide. 
      England had been struggling for fluency, on a difficult playing surface, but they clicked into gear when Maddison fed Kane, who held it up and slipped a pass to Saka, the Arsenal man leathering a shot which Bushchan tipped on to the bar.
      Saka exchanged passes with Maddison, wriggled past a defender but had a shot blocked. 
      Midway through the second half, Southgate introduced Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in place of Bellingham and Maddison, neither of whom had truly sparked. 
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      Rashford had an angled drive pushed out by Bushchan, who then saved a close-range effort from a lunging Maguire. 
      Walker capped a fine personal display with a couple of excellent late challenges to dispossess Mykhailo Mudryk as Ukraine broke menacingly.
      Gareth Southgate must not prepare his team to face ScotlandCredit: Getty More

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      England have finally ‘earned respect’ of European rivals and are ‘blessed’ to have Kane & Bellingham for Euro 2024 push

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      THEY do not hope to win major trophies at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid — they absolutely expect it.And the fact that England’s two finest footballers, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are now experiencing that supreme winning mentality at two of Europe’s biggest clubs is good news for Gareth Southgate.
      Harry Kane has made an incredible start to life at Bayern MunichCredit: GETTY
      Jude Bellingham has made a rip-roaring start to life at Real MadridCredit: GETTY
      Kane and Bellingham will be pivotal for England’s Euro 2024 hopesCredit: Getty
      Bellingham, 20, has made a lightning start to Bernabeu life — leading LaLiga’s scoring charts with five goals in four games and winning Player of the Month at the first time of asking in Spain’s top flight.
      Three Lions skipper Kane is so impressed with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star’s storming progress in the Spanish capital that he is concerned his international team-mate could be a rival for the European Golden Boot this season.
      Kane has netted three league goals in as many appearances for Bayern ahead of tonight’s Euros qualifier against Ukraine in Poland, as England close in on securing a place at next summer’s finals.
      And Kane, 30, said: “I’ve seen Jude’s great start in LaLiga. He’s managed to score a few goals so he’s competing with me for the most goals this season!
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      “It is too early for me to mention the European Golden Boot to him yet.
      “But if we get to March and he is still up there with me, I might have a few words.
      “It’s great to see. He’s an extremely good player, a great person, very mature for his age so it’s great to see him doing well.
      “We haven’t spoken about the German league too much.
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      “He asked me how I’m getting on with the language because he found it difficult.
      “But we want as many of our England players as possible to be playing at the highest level.
      “Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in the world without question.
      “We’ve got great players who have played in big moments and big occasions in our squad — not just for the national team but for their clubs.
      “Me and Jude being at these clubs will only add to that. I think it adds another level of confidence to the team, knowing that we’re all playing in those types of games.”
      After failing to win a single trophy at Tottenham, Kane is now grappling with the expectation of winning every week at Bayern. He said: “It’s definitely a different pressure compared to what I felt at Spurs.
      “Of course, we wanted to win things at Spurs but if you went a couple of games without winning then it wasn’t a disaster.“The feeling at Bayern is that you have to win every game.
      “We won the first two league games 4-0 and 3-1 and there was still talk about not being too happy with the way we played.
      Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are two of England’s brightest stars and and lighting up the world stageCredit: Getty
      “That’s part and parcel of being at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
      “But we’ve had a good start and I am enjoying feeling those different emotions and that’s part of the reason that I wanted to go.
      “And we start the Champions League campaign when we get back, which Bayern expect to win — or have a good chance of winning. So you’re going into those games with maybe a different feeling to what I’ve had in the past.
      “I believe playing for Bayern will make me a better player.
      “Whether I win things or not, the decision came down to putting me in those situations.
      “With Bayern Munich, sometimes we expect them to win because they have won the league for the last 11 years.
      “But in my short period there is still a lot of pressure to win these trophies. We have not won the German Cup for a few years.
      “And we have not won the Champions League for a few years so there is definitely a lot to gain and a lot of pressure to take.
      “Just the experiences of having title runs and cup runs and a Champions League run will only add — hopefully — to handling pressure in certain situations.
      “If we are going to win anything with England, we are going to have to deal with that.
      Harry Kane admits the recent success of Gareth Southgate’s troops has added pressureCredit: REUTERS
      “Me, being captain, I want to put myself in that position as much as possible. I set my standards as high as they can possibly go.”
      With Bellingham having previously lit up the Bundesliga with Dortmund and Kane now banging in the goals at Bayern, Kane now believes there is a renewed respect for English football in Germany and across Europe.
      He said: “I’m not too sure about whether they fear us.
      “I think in recent games and in the last Euros, the way we performed . . . I think we’ve earned the respect of Germany, 100 per cent.
      “I think we’ve earned the respect of a lot of nations around the world. Individually, with me and Jude having played in Germany, but I think our biggest strength is as a collective.
      “And when other countries look at us, that’s our biggest positive.”
      Kane’s fellow Three Lions stalwart Jordan Henderson, 33, faces the prospect of protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonight.
      That follows his controversial move from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal. And Kane said: “I think every England fan is entitled to their opinions.
      “The majority of the England fans will be behind the team and, once the game starts, will be fully behind everyone. Jordan is a good friend of mine and a great person.
      “He has a job to do — as we all have — and that’s where his focus will be.”
      Jordan Henderson will face protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonightCredit: GETTY
      Meanwhile, Southgate was quick to pile praise on Bellingham ahead of the Ukraine clash.
      Southgate said: “He has a huge maturity. He has a good emotional intelligence.
      “He has had to go into a dressing room and an interesting dynamic where some world-class players are there and he is there to ultimately take their place.
      “But knowing him, he will have approached them off the pitch with huge respect and will have gone into the training sessions and the games ready to compete and show what a good player he is.
      “He found that balance brilliantly when he first joined us and I have no doubt that is what has happened while he has been there.
      “He has had to show a slightly different side because he has played a little higher with them losing Benzema and his game is suited to forward running and arriving in the box and the nice thing from our point of view is that he is scoring more goals, which is great.”
      Bellingham is certain to start in midfield tonight along with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice as he looks to continue his red-hot form.
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      Southgate added: “I’m not completely surprised because of the personality he has and the calmness he has, coupled with the competitiveness, you never know how it is going to go because you don’t know how the team is going to play and whether the role you get at the start is going to suit you.
      “For us, we are blessed. We have got several very very good players so it is exciting.” More