Ukraine record a 2-1 comeback victory over a stubborn Slovakia side in Group E of Euro 2024, with Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk on target for the Blue and Yellow.
Ukraine come from behind to earn victory over Slovakia in Group E of Euro 2024.
Despite the best efforts of the Ukrainian medical team, Everton star Vitalii Mykolenko was once again unable to be selected in the starting XI, meaning that Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko filled in on the left side of the defence for a consecutive game, with the Blue and Yellow missing his calming presence in midfield versus Romania last time out.
Looking to keep a fourth straight clean sheet and book an automatic place in the knockout stages of a major tournament, Slovakia stuck with the same back four that helped them to a vital shutout and maximum points against Belgium, with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar captaining his nation from the heart of the backline.
After such a disappointing showing and subsequent three-goal defeat at the hands of a flamboyant Romania earlier in the week, it was clear that Ukraine had not learnt their lesson immediately and once again fell behind in a Euro contest, putting their progression into the last 16 in severe doubt.
Taking advantage of a lapse in concentration from the Blue and Yellow, Slovakia’s David Hancko took a throw-in quickly and found the run of Lukas Haraslin, whose first-time delivery into the box had Zinchenko scrambling backwards, leading to Ivan Schranz having a free header at the back post to fire his side in front.
Having conceded four goals at this competition without reply, it was no surprise to see Sergiy Rebrov’s men go on the offensive as they chased parity in the contest before the half-time whistle, with right-back Oleksandr Tymchyk’s low-driven effort striking the post of Martin Dubravka’s goal and bouncing away from danger.
Although Ukraine were unable to make the net ripple in the opening 45, supporters of the Blue and Yellow did not have to wait long into the second period for their first cause for celebration at this summer’s tournament in Germany, with a defensive midfielder stepping up to the goalscoring plate.
With Slovakia penned around their own box, highly-rated Shakhtar Donetsk youngster Georgiy Sudakov found the run of Zinchenko on the left flank, and the Arsenal man delivered a low cross in the path of Mykola Shaparenko, who had found space in between the defensive lines of Sokoli and brilliant finished past Dubravka.
More to follow.
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