Ivan Toney made his long awaited England debut on Sunday despite the the ongoing threat of an FA ban lurking over the Brentford striker for gabling offences.
Toney was charged with 232 cases of breaking betting rules in November, with the charges occurring between February 2017 and January 2021. The following month, Toney was charged with a further 30 alleged breaches of FA betting rules.
England selection seemed unlikely despite his fine form for the Bees this season but the forward was called up for England’s first two Euro qualifiers.
He was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Italy but made his first appearance for his country against the Ukraine on Sunday, coming on in the 81st minute.
Bukayo Saka scored a stunner after Harry Kane extended his goalscoring record as England continued their winning start to Euro 2024 qualification.
© Provided by Daily Mail Ivan Toney made his England debut as he came on in the 81st minute against Ukraine
Gareth Southgate told his players that Thursday’s impressive 2-1 victory at Euro 2020 conquerors Italy could only be considered a fantastic result if they followed it up with another win at Wembley.
England did not disappoint in their first home match since reaching the World Cup quarter-finals as Kane and Saka struck late in the first half to seal a 2-0 triumph against Ukraine.
It was the perfect return from their toughest-looking Euro 2024 double-header, meaning Southg makes his England debutate’s side are already well placed to progress from a group completed by North Macedonia and Malta.
England are expected to get maximum points against those nations in June, when Kane could add a flurry to his national team scoring record that stands at 55 after his first-half opener.
© Provided by Daily Mail Toney is under the threat of an FA ban after being charged with 262 gambling offences
The skipper, who was presented with a commemorative golden boot for his historic strike in Naples, fired in after meeting a fine cross by Saka, who went onto score a superb effort three minutes later.
The 21-year-old’s fantastic 20-yard curler was his eighth international goal and all but ended this Group C clash a contest.
Given England’s struggles after half-time in Italy and an already-depleted squad being further diminished by Phil Foden needing appendix surgery on Sunday morning, Southgate will not mind the largely forgettable second half here.