With a late goal from substitute Roman Yaremchuk, Ukraine overcame a goal behind to defeat Slovakia 2-1 in a thrilling Group E match on Friday, reviving their ambitions for Euro 2024.
Ukraine’s hopes were dangling at the break after falling behind after an early goal by Ivan Schranz, but they pulled off a stunning comeback in front of their jubilant supporters.
Slovakia, who surprised Belgium in their first game, could have advanced to the round of 16 with a victory, but they paid a heavy price for taking it easy after an incredible start.
In the 54th minute, Mykola Shaparenko levelled by a close-range finish, and then Yaremchuk controlled a lofted pass from Shaparenko to poke past Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dźbravka and secure a crucial victory for Ukraine.
Ukraine now shares a three-point lead with Slovakia and Romania ahead of their Saturday matchup against Belgium.
Slovakia had won their initial game in spectacular way, this time defeating Belgium, just as they had done at Euro 2020. They did, however, ultimately tumble out at the group stage three years ago.
On a Düsseldorf pitch that had been lubricated by pre-match rain, they dominated the opening exchanges against Ukraine, obviously determined to prevent a recurrence.
Anatoliy Trubin, the goalkeeper for Ukraine, who made five changes from the team that lost 3-0 to Romania, kept his team in the match by making two consecutive stops to deny close-range efforts from Schranz and a Lukás Haraslín attempt.
In the 17th minute, Slovakia’s strong start was rewarded when Schranz headed in Haraslin’s well-lobbed cross at the far post for his second goal of the competition (he had previously scored the game’s winning goal against Belgium).
Ukraine looked as hopeless as the sky over Düsseldorf, but then they suddenly came to life.
After Mykhailo Mudryk‘s shot went high over the bar and Slovakian defender Peter Pekarík blocked a better attempt, Oleksandr Tymchyk, the right back, beat keeper Dubravka with a sliding low drive against the post.
Oleksandr Zinchenko then attempted a counterattack, and Dubravka had to be quick to stop him. However, Trubin made a great save to deny Slovakia the opportunity to extend their advantage.
Ukraine dominated the first part of the second half, and La Liga’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk was only narrowly unable to head a cross from Mudryk towards goal.
A minute after Ukraine’s relentless pressure paid off, as they kicked towards their yellow-and-blue-clad supporters, Zinchenko’s deft ball found an unmarked Shaparenko, who calmly sent a left-footed shot into the corner.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Mudryk’s attempt from a sharp angle struck the post, giving Slovakia a fortunate break even if they appeared content to hold on for a draw.
After that, Ukraine dug deep, and the outstanding Shaparenko selected Yaremchuk, giving the war-torn country optimism going into their last group match.
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