It was a timely reminder from Raheem Sterling. No-one should underestimate his importance to England as goalscorer, creator and leader.
Incredibly, it was Sterling’s first goal in a friendly which is a weird stat until you remember that means he saves his goals for the big occasions. It was Sterling who was England’s best player at last year’s European Championships and, amid uncertain times at Manchester City, it looks as if something special happens whenever he pulls on the Three Lions shirt.
This time Sterling wore the captain’s armband - yellow and blue in the colours of Ukraine - and he created the first goal for Ollie Watkins as England completely outclassed an Ivory Coast side reduced to 10 men. And then he scored the second himself.
