Published 09 September 2023 3 min read
England Men's Senior Team
Kyle Walker speaks of 'relief' at scoring his first England goal
The Three Lions defender broke his scoring duck as England pick up a point against Ukraine
MATCH REPORT: UKRAINE 1-1 ENGLAND
Kyle Walker admits that scoring a goal for England is something he’d been looking to add to his impressive career record.
The Three Lions defender had gone 76 games for his country without finding the net prior to Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine.
He's normally picking up plaudits for his work at the other end of the pitch, but when he got on the end of an incisive pass from captain Harry Kane, he showed composure and technique in the opposition box to fire England level following Oleksander Zinchenko’s opener.
"It's a point away from home, first and foremost,” said Walker after the game, which was played in a red-hot atmosphere in Wroclaw, Poland.
“I think we're in a strong position in the group, it's always going to be tough coming here and obviously they're a proud nation.
The Three Lions defender had gone 76 games for his country without finding the net prior to Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine.
He's normally picking up plaudits for his work at the other end of the pitch, but when he got on the end of an incisive pass from captain Harry Kane, he showed composure and technique in the opposition box to fire England level following Oleksander Zinchenko’s opener.
"It's a point away from home, first and foremost,” said Walker after the game, which was played in a red-hot atmosphere in Wroclaw, Poland.
“I think we're in a strong position in the group, it's always going to be tough coming here and obviously they're a proud nation.
“I thought in front of goal we lacked a bit of the cutting edge we normally have in front of goal, but sometimes you have to take them games, come away from home, take a point and move on.”
As for the moment he broke his duck, the Manchester City full-back was clearly delighted to have got his name on the scoresheet and the record books.
"It's just a relief,” he revealed.
“To represent your country and be as fortunate as I have to have done that many times, to not have scored has been on my mind.
“Now I can tick that off, I've done it, and I've finally got an England goal.
"I've played with H [Harry Kane] for a number of years now and I know that he likes to drop deep and look for that run.
"It shows how intelligent he [Kane] is as a footballer. He can drop deep, he can stay in behind and stay as a centre forward, as a number nine.
“I saw the gap and luckily he's found me, which nine times out of ten he does find the person he passes to, and I put it away.
“I'm glad that I could help the team at the other end but first and foremost I'm a defender and my main job is stopping goals.”
As for the moment he broke his duck, the Manchester City full-back was clearly delighted to have got his name on the scoresheet and the record books.
"It's just a relief,” he revealed.
“To represent your country and be as fortunate as I have to have done that many times, to not have scored has been on my mind.
“Now I can tick that off, I've done it, and I've finally got an England goal.
"I've played with H [Harry Kane] for a number of years now and I know that he likes to drop deep and look for that run.
"It shows how intelligent he [Kane] is as a footballer. He can drop deep, he can stay in behind and stay as a centre forward, as a number nine.
“I saw the gap and luckily he's found me, which nine times out of ten he does find the person he passes to, and I put it away.
“I'm glad that I could help the team at the other end but first and foremost I'm a defender and my main job is stopping goals.”
The result brings England’s 100 per cent record in their group to an end, but they still sit top in a strong position to secure their qualification for next summer’s EURO 2024 after what will be one of their toughest games in the group.Brilliant @HKane assist 🅰️
— England (@England) September 9, 2023
Calm @kylewalker2 finish for his first #ThreeLions goal! ⚽️pic.twitter.com/IE6K3nB0iy
"Sometimes you just have these nights,” added the former Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur man.
“We had a lot of possession, we should have created a few more opportunities in front of goal, but you take them.
“You come here against a great Ukraine side - you see their results, they've been very good. We know we can do better, but we move onto Tuesday now which is another massive game."