The problem with hard work is that talent and inspiration will often trump it in the end. So it was that Ukraine left Wembley with nothing but the rest of Europe’s enduring sympathy. It’s a miracle that this team in yellow and blue are still functioning at all. To ask them to compete at the level at which they would hope to is probably a step too far.
They didn’t manage a shot on target here against England. Their discipline, energy and commitment to the task kept them in the game for half an hour but once England scored they were in real trouble.