Ukraine alive and kicking as Yaremchuk grabs late winner against Slovakia

DUESSELDORF (Agencies): Ukraine roused themselves in the nick of time to salvage their Euro 2024 hopes as substitute Roman Yaremchuk’s late strike saw them hit back after falling a goal behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 in a lively Group E clash on Friday. Trailing at halftime to an early header scored by Ivan Schranz, Ukraine’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage were in peril, but they stormed back in front of their joyous fans. Slovakia, who produced the shock of the tournament so far to beat Belgium in their opener, would have sealed a last-16 berth with a win but sat back after a dream start and were punished. Man of the match Mykola Shaparenko equalised in the 54th minute with a close-range finish before his pass sent Yaremchuk clear to prod the winner and spark ecstatic celebrations from the ranks of yellow and blue inside the Duesseldorf Stadium. Victory lifted Ukraine level on three points with Slovakia and Romania, who face Belgium on Saturday. “Today we conceded a goal and reacted very well,” former Ukraine striker Rebrov, who made five changes to the side that started the 3-0 drubbing by Romania, said. “I can’t say this was a different team but it was a different spirit. The spirit of Ukraine. Today this was a very important win for Ukraine, for our country.” Slovakia will be kicking themselves at failing to take at least a point which would have all but guaranteed them matching their journey to the last-16 in 2016. Instead, they will be fearful of a repeat of Euro 2020 when they also won their opening game before defeats by Sweden and Spain left them packing their bags for home.

“I’m happy with the team’s performance and proud of my lads,” coach Francesco Calzona said. “We allowed the opposition half an hour when they punished us.” Slovakia began as if clearly determined to avoid a repeat of three years ago and bossed the opening exchanges on a Duesseldorf pitch greased up persistent rain. Ukraine keeper Anatoliy Trubin, one of Rebrov’s changes, kept his side level with a series of saves, one to keep out a Lukas Haraslin shot and an even better one to spread himself and somehow keep out Schranz’s close-range effort. Slovakia were rewarded in the 17th minute though when Ukraine switched off and Haraslin’s measured lobbed cross was headed in at the far post by Schranz for his second goal of the tournament, having also scored the winner against Belgium.

Sprang to life:

With their tournament hopes looking as gloomy as the Duesseldorf sky, Ukraine finally sprang to life and it was Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk who provided the spark. He blasted one shot high over the bar then had a better effort blocked by Slovakia defender Peter Pekarik. Oleksandr Tymchyk then had his head in his hands as his skidding shot thumped against the post before keeper Martin Dubravka beat away a curling free kick by Oleksandr Zinchenko. Slovakia still offered the occasional threat and Trubin did well to keep out Haraslin’s shot but Ukraine maintained the pressure after the interval. Artem Dovbyk, top scorer in La Liga last season, was just unable to direct a Mudryk cross at goal before Ukraine finally pierced the Slovakia rearguard. Zinchenko’s silky pass found Shaparenko unmarked and he slotted home a left-footed shot.

Slovakia looked content to hold on for a point but it was a dangerous ploy with Mudryk striking the post with a shot from an acute angle with 15 minutes left. Ukraine appeared to have lost their impetus but with 10 minutes remaining Shaparenko spotted Yaremchuk’s run down the right and he took the ball out of the air before poking his shot beyond a hesitating Dubravka. The job is far from complete but after the gloom of their opening defeat, war-torn Ukraine will head into their final group game against Belgium full of hope.