As the Ukrainian defenders retreated, the Wembley pitch yawned open in front of him and for the first time in the match - his first start for England Maddison had a canvas on which to create.
He surged forwards while surveying the options in his periphery. Directly ahead was Harry Kane, but the pass would need to be carefully threaded through Ukraine's centre-backs. To his right was Bukayo Saka, lurking on the shoulder of his fullback ready to burst into space. Maddison continued towards the box at full tilt and began shaping his body to pass right, but just as he did so the ball lodged under his feet, and the momentum escaped. Barely a minute later, as if to illustrate how it should be done, Kane dropped deep and swept a pass out to Saka before racing into the box to score England's opener.
This story is from the March 27, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 27, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
McLaren joy as 'boy from Bristol' claims first F1 win
Has there ever been a more popular winner in modern-day Formula One? Perhaps not.
Bundesliga strugglers are on the verge of European glory
Dortmund can claim Champions League final place tonight
Eagles dismantle United in new season low for visitors
A Michael Olise masterclass helped Crystal Palace complete a first ever Premier League double over Manchester United and inflict further misery on Erik ten Hag’s team with a 4-0 drubbing in south London.
Wilson wins snooker world title after hard-fought game
The last few balls clapped into the pockets with a thud.
AN UNUSUAL SUSPECT
Channel 4’s Spacey Unmasked’ brings to light previously unheard claims of predatory behaviour
It's my gender reveal party and I'll dye if I want to...
The death of a pigeon recently forced the RSPCA to warn parents-to-be to stop dying birds pink. Ellie Muir explains why the social media phenomenon needs to be retired now
How Lorraine Kelly became the queen of morning TV
Once told she’d never make it on TV because of her Glasgow accent and now set to receive a Special Award from Bafta, the daytime legend’s career is celebrated by Katie Rosseinsky
Awful news from an old pal sent me to a pre-digital past
When Toby, a friend I’d known since meeting on an art foundation in Salisbury in the 1990s, sent word that things were not well in his world, the email was devastating.
PM's hung parliament yarn is spin on a crushing defeat
Rishi Sunak is clutching at the thinnest of straws in claiming the results of last Thursday’s local elections point to a hung parliament.
Lost Caravaggio almost sold for 1,300 to go on display
The Prado museum in Madrid has confirmed that a painting due to be auctioned in Spain in 2021 is in fact a work by Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio that was considered lost.