09 September 2023 , 18:12
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The finish was a simple one, although it was made simple by the smart build-up and his own intelligent, perfectly-timed run.
But when Oleksandr Zinchenko exploited the inadequacy of England’s central defence, the significance extended way beyond a 26th minute lead for the ‘home’ side. The noise inside the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw probably carried across the Ukrainian border, around 500 miles away. It was a special moment.
Zinchenko has been one of the main flag-bearers for this football team throughout his brave nation’s harrowing time. He is not its captain but he is a leader, assuming the responsibility to speak for the team and speak for a country being subjected to such a harrowing ordeal.
On the eve of this match, Zinchenko said he wanted Wroclaw to become a sea of yellow and blue and, for a few minutes, he certainly got his wish. And as he always does, Zinchenko had made a statement of gratitude to the courageous men and women defending his homeland the centrepiece of his press conference.
“The first message, the most important - and which I have to say every single time - is that I must say a massive thanks to the Ukraine army to have this chance to play for the national team.”
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Zinchenko lit up Wroclaw with his side's goal (Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)And his goal was a message of thanks, Zinchenko expressing the liberty his compatriots are fighting for. That it did not give Ukraine a victory was irrelevant - it was the highlight of this occasion.
And in a strictly footballing context, it highlighted the defensive issues that could develop as England head towards the Euros in Germany next summer. Having conceded only one goal in their opening five qualifying matches, it seems odd to be talking about defensive issues but a side more adventurous and more accomplished than Ukraine would have caused mayhem against this back four.
Harry Maguire was a ponderous figure at the back (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)And while it would also be harsh to lay substantial blame for Zinchenko’s breakthrough on Harry Maguire’s doorstep, his positional sense for the goal merely confirmed what has been obvious for considerable time. It is surely untenable for even the famously loyal Gareth Southgate to keep faith with a player who is nowhere near being a first-choice starter at his club.
Aside from the move that led to Zinchenko’s left-footed conversion, Maguire was not unduly tested but, understandably, he looks rusty. If he is to go to the Euros, Maguire needs the unavailability of others to give him game-time at United or a move in the January window.
Jordan Henderson struggled after being picked by Gareth Southgate (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)One player who won’t be moving in the January window, presumably, is Jordan Henderson, the second of Southgate’s slightly controversial picks for this game. There were a few jeers and whistles when Henderson’s place in the starting line-up was announced but if it was any kind of protest, it was of the low-key pantomime variety.
If we temporarily park moral objections to Henderson’s inclusion, objections on footballing grounds are perfectly understandable.
This was always going to be a contest in which England would dominate possession, meaning one of Henderson’s selling points - his doggedness - would be largely irrelevant. And so it proved.
He did not have a poor game and at least had the distinction of becoming the first Al-Ettifaq player to represent England but he is now playing his club football in a league that is probably sub-Championship standard at best.
If this was Henderson’s final game in an England jersey, you would not be surprised. It will not be Zinchenko’s final game in a Ukraine jersey - he will be a leader of this team, on and off the pitch, for many years to come. And the rapturous ovation he received when making way for Vitaliy Buyalskiy said it all.
His country is doing him proud, he is doing his country proud. Let’s hope we see him and his team-mates in Germany next summer.
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