Euro 2020. Ukrainian national team defeats Portugal team and participates in the final tournament!

15.10.2019 01:37

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

To accomplish the main task, to get a pass to the Euro-2020 final, Andrey Shevchenko's team had enough draw in today's match. The current European champions, the Portuguese, in terms of tournament schedules, only arranged a victory.

Compared to the previous duel, against Lithuania in Kharkiv Three days earlier, there were three changes in the blue-yellow starting lineup. As Andriy Shevchenko promised on at pre-match press conference, there were fresh players - those who did not even replace the USC "Metalist" on Friday. The permutations concerned the flanks of the defense, where Karavaev and Mykolenko replaced Bolbat and Sobol, as well as the lines of attack, where Moraes was replaced by Yaremchuk.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

A quick blue-yellow goal from the standard

The first goal of the goal was made in the 2nd minute. Yaremchuk, assisted by Malinowski, was able to break through with the defenders, but Rui Patriciou was in place. But within four minutes the account was opened. After Marlos' corner kick, Krivtsov threatened the goal, the Portuguese goalkeeper deflected it, but Yaremchuk was the first to finish. 1: 0.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The fact that the Ukrainians will have to spend most of the playing time in defense, it was clear in advance, and at the expense of the hosts, the advantage of the Portuguese in possession of the ball seemed all the more logical. But Andriy Shevchenko's wards defended themselves qualitatively, not leaving their opponents free zones and, if necessary, showing self-sacrifice. When the blue-and-yellows had a chance to counterattack, they took advantage of it one hundred percent. Yarmolenko responded to Mykolenko's flank pass, jumping out from behind the defenders. 2: 0.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Such an account prompted the European champions to take even more active action, and they managed to create a few truly goals. Petov had to demonstrate his skill, neutralizing the attempts to distinguish João Mario and Bernard Silva. He was threatening the goal and Cristiano Ronaldo, but his shots went wide. One minute before the break, the Ukrainians had a wonderful moment when the three of them came out against two defenders, but Yarmolenko failed to put a productive point.  

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Double punishment for Taras Stepanenko

The pressure of the Portuguese at the beginning of the second half became even stronger. The Ukrainian defense led by Pyatov worked to the full, but it was extremely difficult to contain the opponents' attacks. In some episodes, such as after the blow of Cristiano Ronaldo with a rebound, only Petov's saves allowed him to keep the difference in score.

The siege of the Ukrainian goal continued and eventually led to a blow by Bruma, after which the ball hit Stepanenko's hand. The referee appointed an 11-meter and showed Taras a yellow card, which became his second. The penalty was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo. The end of the match for the national team of Ukraine, which had to face one of the best teams in the world in the minority, was a difficult test that the blue and yellows withstood. The winning score guaranteed them the first final place in Group B and a ticket to Euro 2020!

Euro 2020. Qualifying Tournament. Group B

Ukraine - Portugal - 2: 1 (2: 0)

Goals: Yaremchuk (6), Yarmolenko (27) - Cristiano Ronaldo (72, from the penalty spot).

Ukraine: Pyatov (k), Mykolenko (Plastun, 90 + 4), Kryvtsov, Matvienko, Karavayev, Stepanenko, Malinovsky, Zinchenko, Yarmolenko, Marlos (Konoplyanka, 63), Yaremchuk (Kovalenko, 73).  

Substitutions: Pankiv, Sobol, Sydorchuk, Shakhov, Buyalskyi, Tsyhankov, Moraes, Bolbat, Lunin.

Trainer: Andrii Shevchenko.

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Guerreiro, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Semedu, Danilo, João Mario (Bruma, 68), João Moutinho (Bruno Fernandes, 56), Gedesh (João Felis, 46), Cristiano Ronaldo (k), Bernard Silva.

Substitutions: Jose Sa, Beta, Fontaine, Andre Silva, Ricardo, Andre Gomes, Ruben Neves, Mario Rui, Pizzi.

Trainer: Fernando Santos.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (England).

Booked: Stepanenko (25), Yarmolenko (47), Zinchenko (90 + 4), Kovalenko (90 + 5) - Pepe (26), Ruben Diash (64).

Sent off: Stepanenko (72).

October 14. Kyiv. NSC "Olympic". 65 spectators.

Lithuania - Serbia - 1: 2 (0:0)

Standings

14.11.2019

Serbia - Luxembourg

Portugal - Lithuania 

17.11.2019

Serbia - Ukraine

Luxembourg - Portugal

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov