Euro 2020. The Ukrainian national team won the strong-willed victory in Luxembourg and came in first place in the group!

26.03.2019 01:45

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

After two opening matches of the European Championship qualifying tournament, the blue and yellows are in first place in the group.

In comparison with the first fight selection, in which the wards of Andrei Shevchenko resisted the current champion of the continent, Portugal, in their composition there were five changes. Tsygankov and Moraes, who came on as substitutes in Lisbon, started the game from the start, and Butko, Burda and Bezus, who last played for the national team four years ago, were also among the top 11.

Given the selection of players, it was obvious that the coaching staff of the Ukrainians relied on ball control. The intentions of the guests to secure dominance on the field were outlined fairly quickly. The first attack of the blue-yellows ended with a pass from the flank and a dangerous header by Moraes, but the newcomer of the team did not hit the goal. In the future, the flank canopies and shots of the guests, although performed by them quite regularly, did not reach the recipients. Attempts to break through the center were neutralized by the rich defense of the Red Lions.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

At the end of the first 30 minutes, the game came to life. First, Konoplyanka dangerously scored from the penalty spot, then Pyatov saved his team after the standard of the hosts, and immediately Luxembourg opened the score. Olivier Till shot from the right flank, the ball bounced from Butko to Turpel, and he did not miss from close range. But the leadership of the Luxembourgers in the account did not last long. In just six minutes, Zinchenko perfectly threw the ball to Tsygankov, who found himself alone with Maurice and skillfully realized the moment, punching under the goalkeeper. The first goal of Dynamo for the national team and the first ball of the national team in the new cycle made the score 1: 1.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

At the beginning of the second half of the meeting, the hosts, who felt confident, arranged a small siege of Pyatov's possessions, and the blue and yellows had to work hard in defense. The Ukrainians managed to regain the initiative quickly, but they did not last long with constructive actions. Konoplyanka had another opportunity to implement the standard, but again failed to execute a free kick from a very convenient position. Moraes scored dangerously twice, but the hosts responded with sharp attacks. And only in overtime did Shevchenko's team manage to carry out a productive attack. Malinowski executed a free kick, and Rodriguez cut the ball with his head into his own goal. 1: 2.

Next match of Euro-2020 qualifying Ukraine's national team will spend June 7 in Lviv against Serbia.

Euro 2020. Qualifying Tournament. Group B

Luxembourg - Ukraine - 1: 2 (1: 1)

Goals: Thurpel (34) - Tsyhankov (40), Rodriguez (90 + 3, own goal).

Luxembourg: Moris, Carlson, Chano, Malger, Jans (k), O. Till (Mutsch, 90 + 2), Rodriguez, K. Martins, Barreiro Martins, V. Till (Bensy, 73), Thurpel.

Spare: Makhmutovic, Bonert, Gerson, Da Mota, Sean, Xinani, Janisz, Skenderovic, Joachim, Kips.

Ukraine: Pyatov (k), Butko, Burda (Karavayev, 78, Buyalskyi, 87), Matviyenko, Mykolenko, Malinovskyi, Bezus (Yaremchuk, 64), Konoplyanka, Tsyhankov, Zinchenko, Moraes.  

Substitutions: Boyko, Sobol, Kryvtsov, Stepanenko, Shaparenko, Shabanov, Sydorchuk, Bolbat, Lunin.

Referee: Matthias Gestranius (Finland).

Booked: Barreiro Martins (45), Chano (51), Malge (62), Carlson (90 + 2) - Burda (48), Butko (64).

March 25nd. Luxembourg. Josie Barthel Stadium.

Portugal - Serbia - 1: 1 (1: 1)

Goals: Danilo (42) - Tadic (7, from the penalty spot).

Standings