Ukraine ignited their Euro 2024 marketing campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Slovakia in Dusseldorf.
Ivan Schranz’s opener put Slovakia forward at half-time earlier than Mykola Shaparenko cancelled out the lead early within the second half.
Roman Yaremchuk accomplished the turnaround 10 minutes from time to safe an enormous enhance to their prospects of reaching the final 16.
Because it occurred
Slovakia got here into this recreation on the again of an unlikely win over Belgium and the primary two possibilities of the sport fell their manner, forcing two robust saves from Anatoliy Trubin, instantly justifying his choice after coming in for the dropped Andriy Lunin.
Haraslin’s first was saved at point-blank vary earlier than Schranz’s effort was additionally brilliantly saved out following a deflection off a defender.
The Benfica stoppper needed to punch one other clear from a free-kick earlier than he was lastly overwhelmed by Schranz, who was left unmarked on the again publish earlier than heading the ball again throughout objective and into the web for his second objective in as many video games.
Slovakia strike first in Dusseldorf! 👊
Ivan Schranz makes it two targets in two video games 2️⃣⚽#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #SVKUKR pic.twitter.com/sUpvHCBML1
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 21, 2024
Simply as they did within the 3-0 defeat to Romania final outing, Ukraine seemed out of types on the again and going ahead early on, with a blazed over Mykhailo Mudryk shot one among few openings of be aware within the first 25 minutes.
Some dedicated Peter Pekarik defending was required to dam Artem Dovbyk’s end after some beautiful footwork from the Girona hotshot.
That likelihood appeared to spark Ukraine into life after a sensible one-two involving Andriy Yarmolenko needed to be cleared away on the last second earlier than Oleksandr Tymchyk struck the publish with a left-footed low drive.
OFF THE POST! 💥
Oleksandr Tymchyk goes near an equaliser for Ukraine 😲#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #SVKUKR pic.twitter.com/03d20VcUx4
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 21, 2024
Because the half drew to an in depth, Oleksandr Zinchenko nearly sneaked one in on the close to publish with a free-kick however Martin Dubravka parried it away, earlier than the opposing stopper was as soon as once more required to maintain out a deflected Haraslin shot.
Ukraine lastly obtained the objective they craved 9 minutes into the second half as Shaparenko coolly slotted it previous Dubravka after Zinchenko’s sq. ball throughout the field.
Mykola Shaparenko brings Ukraine stage! 🇺🇦⚽
It’s excessive fives all spherical from former striker and the nation’s FA president Andriy Shevchenko 🙏 #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #SVKUKR pic.twitter.com/7EVvJHR5x0
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 21, 2024
The Blue and Yellow continued to dominate the ball within the second half however some sometimes disciplined defending from Slovakia restricted clear-cut possibilities as a tense last 20 minutes approached.
It was Mudryk’s flip to strike the publish on 75 minutes after his comparatively tame effort was bizarelly left by Dubravka earlier than hitting the upright and bouncing behind.
However quickly the nerves of Ukraine followers turned to jubilation as substitute Yaremchuk accomplished the turnaround by brilliantly controlling Shaparenko’s cross earlier than poking a fragile end previous the goalkeeper.
Comeback full for Ukraine 🇺🇦✅
Substitute Roman Yaremchuk’s strike places them forward! ⚽🙌#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #SVKUKR pic.twitter.com/4FR8LzUizC
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 21, 2024
Slovakia might so simply have scored in stoppage time as a nook fell to Denis Vavro within the field however the defender obtained his shot all mistaken.
What subsequent for Slovakia and Ukraine at Euro 2024?
Group E is now vast open with Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania all on three factors with group favourites Belgium hoping to get their first factors once they face the Romanians on Saturday.
An exhilarating finale is about to unfold on Wednesday as Slovakia tackle Romania similtaneously Ukraine face Belgium.
