Women's World Cup Qualifier LIVE: Ukraine vs England - radio commentary, text updates, stats & head-to-head
Live Reporting
Emily Salley
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- Will Pattinson and Godfrey make their debuts?published at 16:47 GMT
Ukraine v England (17:00 GMT)
Poppy Pattinson is called up to the Lionesses for the first time. The London City Lionesses defender has previously featured for England's youth teams and made seven WSL appearances this term.
"[Pattinson] plays at left-back, is very proactive and takes a lot of initiative. She likes to go forward and she can cover the whole wing on the left side," said Wiegman.
"She is looking for passes forward which I thought was really good. Although she is not the tallest, she does use her body well in defence.
"You have seen different options. [Pattinson] is now one of them and Taylor [Hinds] has played there. In both the left full-back and right-back position, we are figuring out what's best for the team."
Her London City team-mate Freya Godfrey could also make her debut tonight, although she was named in the last squad.
Image source, Getty Images
- What do the stats say?published at 16:44 GMT
Ukraine v England (17:00 GMT)
- England have won all four of their previous meetings with Ukraine in all competitions, with this being their first since a 2-1 away win in June 2014 in qualification for the 2015 World Cup.
- England manager Sarina Wiegman is unbeaten in her last 20 matches when facing a nation for the first time (W16 D4), since a 2-0 loss against the USA as Netherlands manager in the 2019 World Cup final.
- Georgia Stanway could be the first player to net in four consecutive England appearances since Ellen White in July 2019 (five in a row).
Image source, Getty Images
- Get Involvedpublished at 16:41 GMT
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While I'm pleased that Maya Le Tissier is starting, I still think she would do more for England in her club position as a right-sided central defender....but at least she's starting, good to see.
Sam, Kent
What is happening with Wiegman? Instead of sticking religiously with her trusted core players - she is picking players on form! Bronze, Carter, James, & Kelly are only on the bench, and instead in come Le Tissier, Wubben-Moy, Hinds, Park and Blindkilde-Brown. Sarina has crossed the rubicon!
Gordon, Aberdeen
- How does World Cup qualifying work?published at 16:39 GMT
Ukraine v England (17:00 GMT)
European qualifiers for the World Cup will run from February to December, starting with a league phase.
The league phase is played in the same format as the Nations League, with teams split into three leagues - League A, B and C.
England are in League A Group 3, alongside world champions Spain, Ukraine and Iceland.
The winners of each League A group qualify automatically for Brazil 2027. England have never won a group that has Spain in it.
The teams that finish in second and third will go into a play-off round against teams from League B and C.
Image source, Getty Images
- Reward for impressive Blindkilde Brownpublished at 16:37 GMT
Ukraine v England (17:00 GMT)
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
It's a big opportunity for Laura Blindkilde Brown, who has been impressive for Manchester City this season and has been rewarded with a start in midfield.
Sarina Wiegman has been in the stands to watch her at recent games - along with several other Lionesses - and she's got her chance tonight.
It looks like Jess Park will be playing out wide, as she has done for Manchester United this season, rather than in the number 10 role.
And Maya Le Tissier is the replacement for Lucy Bronze, who is not fully fit enough to play back-to-back 90-minute matches.
There's a blow for Alex Greenwood, who has picked up a minor muscle injury and will need to be assessed before Saturday's game against Iceland.
That has occurred in the past 24 hours with Wiegman telling media yesterday that the whole squad were training.
- Get Involvedpublished at 16:34 GMT
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Let us know your thoughts ahead of tonight's game!
Score predictions? Thoughts on the squad? England's World Cup chances?
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