Ukraine U21 3-2 England U21: Illia Kvasnytsya gives Ukraine dramatic late win

England Under-21s suffered their first competitive defeat in more than a year as they were beaten by Ukraine in a Euro 2025 qualifying game in Slovakia.

Noni Madueke then curled in to give England hope before Charlie Cresswell’s 89th-minute header made it 2-2.

But Illia Kvasnytsya’s strike deep into stoppage time won it for Ukraine.

Lee Carsley’s side had worked hard to claw back the two-goal deficit after dominating for large spells in the second period, but were ultimately undone on the break when Kvasnytsya cut inside and fired beyond goalkeeper James Trafford.

It means England, crowned European champions in the summer, have lost only their second competitive game in 20 matches – and their first since being beaten by Slovakia in June 2022.

They thrashed Serbia 9-1 in their previous fixture on Thursday but looked well short of their best during a disjointed first half, with Ukraine – semi-finalists at the European Championship – good value for their lead.

Trafford, England’s hero in the final win over Spain in July, was arguably at fault for the second goal, as Ocheretko’s free-kick from out wide deceived the Burnley keeper and found the far corner.

The Young Lions responded well after half-time, with Cresswell’s far-post header into an empty net appearing to have rescued a draw, only for Kvasnytsya to make it 3-2 and spark wild celebrations.