This was a quarter final that England would fancy winning against a Ukraine side who were lucky to get through as one of the best 3rd placed teams in the group stage.
For the 1st time at these Euros, England were playing away from Wembley as this game was played in Rome.
Would that harm England or could they make it to back to back semi-finals in major tournaments?
It was at Studio Olympic in Rome
1st England goal
Just over 3 minutes in, it was the perfect start for England as Sterling played the ball into Kane who has to stretch in the 6 yard box, but he got it past the keeper to get his 2nd goal of the tournament.
After a quarter of an hour, England gave the ball away and Yaremchuk ran and shot at goal but was saved by Pickford for a corner, which came to nothing.
Five minutes later, Patient play by England as the ball was worked out to Shaw who crossed a good ball in, but no-one there.
After 28 minutes, Sterling was fouled for a freekick, Shaw did a decent delivery and Kane headed over.
Just after the half hour mark, Sterling got to the byline well to get a cross in which was cleared by Ukraine and came to Rice who tried a curling effort but it was saved by the keeper and Mount had an effort too.
After 37 minutes, there was a half chance for Ukraine as Yaremchuk and Yarmolenko combined and Yarmolenko’s shot was blocked.
Two minutes later, nice buildup by England as Kane, Sterling and Shaw combined, and Sterling played Shaw in who pulled it back for Sancho who turned nicely and shot, but only then did the offside flag go up.
A minute later, at the other end Yaremchuk’s shot was cleared for a corner.
The last meaningful first half action came 2 minutes from the end and it was another half chance for Ukraine as Shapalenko shot wide.
Halftime score: Ukraine 0-1 England
So in the main England controlled he first half, got the early goal, but Ukraine did have a couple of half chances, could England be more clinical in the 2nd half and book their place in the semi finals?
2nd England goal
After 47 minutes , Kane got fouled, Shaw took the freekick and delivered a superb ball onto Maguire’s head and Maguire headed it into the net past the keeper, for England’s first set piece goal of these Euros.
3rd England goal
Three minutes later, it was dreamland for England as they scored a brilliant team goal, as Sterling and Shaw combined and Shaw crossed for Kane who headed it down into the ground and into the corner for his 2nd of the night and his 3rd of the tournament, it’s amazing what a goal can do to players.
4th England goal
Just after the hour, it was 4 for England as Ukraine cleared and Kane volleyed towards goal which was saved by the keeper for a corner, Shaw took the corner and Henderson headed into the net for his 1st England goal and this was turning into a very impressive and stress-free night for England.
The last meaningful action came after 73 minutes as Shapolenko’s shot was parried away to safety by Pickford.
The rest of the game drifted to its conclusion
Fulltime score: Ukraine 0-4 England
An impressive margin of victory, a controlled performance and some great headed goals saw England make their 1st Euros semi-final for 25 years and their 2d back to back semi-finals in major tournaments. Southgate once again got his decisions spot on.
Highlights of a stress free night are at this link
Next up for England is the semi-final at Wembley on Wednesday July 7th in front of 60,000 fans against a confident and emotional Denmark, can England make it to their 1st ever Euros final or will Denmark be the party poopers?
