UKRAINE have pulled off a huge win against Slovakia to keep their dreams of qualifying for the Euro last-16 alive.
Ivan Schranz’s delightful header initially put the Slovakians ahead before his effort was wiped out by Mykola Shaparenko.
And then Roman Yaremchuk’s strike completed a sensational comeback for the Ukrainians.
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- TV channel: BBC One
- Slovakia XI: Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
- Ukraine XI: Trubin; Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Zinchenko; Shaparenko, Brazhko; Yarmolenko, Sudakov, Mudryk; Dovbyk
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That’s all from Dusseldorf
Where Ukraine’s European Championship has been revived by a beautifully-worked winning goal against Slovakia.
And there will be more action from Group E tomorrow when Belgium face Romania.
For now though, attention turns to Group D.
Poland take on Australia in Berlin with both countries eager to follow Ukraine’s lead by responding positively following an opening game defeat.
Serhiy masterminds shift in momentum
Credit must go to Serhiy Rebrov for the manner in which his side fought back to beat Slovakia with the Ukraine head coach’s substitutes central to the turnaround.
The momentum shift is highlighted by the below graphic that shows Ukraine dominance from the half hour mark until they took the lead late in the game.
Rebrov praises Ukraine spirit
Ukraine head coach Serhiy Rebrov looked a far happier man after today’s success than he did following the 3-0 defeat to Romania five days ago.
The former West Ham and Tottenham striker celebrated his side’s second goal wildly in Dusselsorf, and then afternoon paid tribute to his players who have given the people of Ukraine something to savour.
I’m very glad for the players. We conceded a goal and showed very good reactions. It is very good emotions for the people of Ukraine. We changed some positions in our high press at half-time. The players who came off the bench improved the game. Most importantly, we showed our spirit. We really tried to save the result and deserved the win because of our spirit.
Serhiy Rebrov
Match stats from Dusseldorf Arena
Ukraine had 70% in their first match at Euro 2024 and registered just two shots on target.
The Blue and Yellow saw just 44% of the ball this afternoon yet still had 13 attempts at goal.
Make it make sense.
Ukraine victory fires group open
After that topsy-turvy 90 minutes, Ukraine are now up to second in the table on the head-to-head ruling – and should Belgium see off Romania tomorrow then Group E will see all four countries on three points with one matchday remaining.
Anything could happen.
- Belgium v Romania (Saturday, 8pm)
- Ukraine v Belgium (Wednesday, 5pm)
- Slovakia v Romania (Wednesday, 5pm)
Credit: uefa.com Full time – Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
It’s all over in Dusseldorf and Ukraine have arrived at Euro 2024!
One down and heading home at half-time, the Blue and Yellow produced a brilliant fightback after the break to encapsulate the spirit of a nation.
Goals from Mykola Shaparenko and a touch of class from substitute Roman Yaremchuk turned it around to spark wonderfully emotional scenes that leave Group E on a knife-edge.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
90+3. Oh! What a miss from Vavro!
The defender finds himself on the end of a corner, this time in space and after a couple of desperate defensive touches.
It falls to his right foot, but he takes such a rushed swipe that he barely makes a telling contact with the ball, sending it no more than a couple of yards before it is cleared.
That was the moment for Slovakia.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine – Ukraine substitution
90+2. As Ukraine defender another corner, Serhiy Rebrov sends on another central defender in Maksym Talovyerov.
He replaces midfielder Mykola Shaparenko.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
90. The board goes up to signal five minutes.
Five huge minutes for Ukraine to hold on.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
89. A Slovakia corner comes to nothing.
Benes’ inswinger from the left is headed well wide by Vavro.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine – Slovakia substitution
87. Francesco Calzona’s last throw of the dice is in the shape of 18-year-old forward Leo Sauer – which sounds far too much like Leo Sayer for my liking.
On for his third cap, the teenager replaces their goalscorer Ivan Schranz.
Will he make Slovakians feel like dancing?
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine – Ukraine double substitution
85. Serhiy Rebrov moves to shore things up for the final five.
Off goes Mykhailo Mudryk and Volodymyr Brazhko to be replaced by Ruslan Malinovskyi and Serhiy Sydorchuk.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine – Yaremchuk yellow card
84. Michael Oliver has his cards out for the first time this afternoon.
The English referee is quick to caution goalscorer Roman Yaremchuk for sliding in on Milan Skriniar.
I dare say there was plenty of adrenalin in that challenge.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
82. Eight minutes plus stoppage time remain in Dusseldorf, and we’re sat at a scoreline that few would have seen coming at half-time.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
80. A beautiful goal from substitute from Roman Yaremchuk may have just won this match for Ukraine – and kept their Euro 2024 dream alive!
Mykola Shaparenko clips a ball over the top from the right touchline that has Yaremchuk on the run.
The striker stretches out a leg to bring the pass down with one delicate touch, and then looks up to see Martin Dubravka upon him.
Instinctively, Yaremchuk flicks a shot beyond the goalkeeper that just has enough on it to creep across the line with a little help from the slide of Milan Skriniar.
What a turnaround in Dusseldorf!
Super sub!
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
78. The game has completely swung around.
From possession to attempts at goal, it’s all Ukraine.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
76. Ukraine are the only side showing real attacking intent now.
Sudakov tries to get a shot away on the turn in the box, but it’s charged down by Vavro.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
74. Another Ukraine chance on the break!
The Blue and Yellow find themselves racing through two-on-two with Yaremchuk in possession.
He senses Mudryk tearing over his shoulder, but puts too much on his through ball.
It sends the winger wide, whose subsequently off-balance shot dinks the outside of the post.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
72. Tymchyk races into space on the right, and has the Ukrainian fans at that end of the stadium on their feet.
He looks up, spots teammates in the middle, and hits his delivery straight into the nearest defender.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
70. Ukraine are now pushing and pressing in greater numbers.
Mudryk is still their desired outlet. The Chelsea man is having more and more of a say.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine – Slovakia double substitution
68. And now two more changes for the Falcons.
David Hancko is going to be withdrawn after that injury, and he departs along with Lukas Haraslin.
Can the oncoming pair of Adam Obert and Tomas Suslov have a positive impact on the final quarter of this Group E contest?
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine – Ukraine double substitution
67. Serhiy Rebrov make a couple of changes of his own.
The Ukraine head coach withdraws his experienced forwards – Artem Dovbyk and Andriy Yarmolenko – and sends on Roman Yaremchuk and Oleksandr Zubkov.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
66. Slovakia dominated possession in the first 45 minutes but that’s all changed now with Ukraine edging the second period with 54% of the ball so far.
A game of two halves.
Slovakia 1-1 Ukraine
64. Incredibly, it looks as though Hancko is going to continue.
On the sideline, his upper leg has been tightly wrapped in tape and he is about to be sent back on.
That seems a disaster waiting to happen.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
