Roman Yaremchuk strike earns Ukraine first win in Euro 2024 against Slovakia

Ukraine now have three points in Group E.

Roman Yaremchuk scored the game-winning goal late on as Ukraine rallied to defeat Slovakia 2-1 in Group E, preserving their hopes of qualifying for the knockouts in Euro 2024.

Ukraine knew they would need to win by at least one point to have an opportunity to make it to the knockout stage, even if a loss in Dusseldorf wouldn’t have eliminated Serhiy Rebrov’s team. Unfortunately, they had a disastrous start.

After surprising Belgium in their first game, Slovakia would have needed to win again to go to the round of 16. They appeared to be on track when Ivan Schranz scored his second goal of the competition with a header.

Slovakia dominated the first forty-five minutes and Oleksandr Tymchyk struck the post as Ukraine tried to equalise. Slovakia’s custodian Anatolii Trubin, who replaced the injured Andriy Lunin, was outstanding for Ukraine in this matchday 2 fixture of UEFA Euro 2024.

Nonetheless, Ukraine dominated the second part. Mykhailo Mudryk, a great player for Chelsea, had moments of brilliance throughout. It was his driving run that set up Mykola Shaparenko’s goal of sweeping home Oleksandr Zinchenko’s pass from the left to equalise the score at the 54-minute mark.

The Ukrainians were clearly in the lead from that point on. Substitute Yaremchuk made headlines with a deft move to hold a long ball that seemed to be falling out of the sky and nudge it past Slovakia custodian Martin Dubravka in the 80-minute mark. Mudryk then struck a post from a tight angle.

The outcome leaves Group E completely open prior to Belgium’s game against Romania on Thursday night. Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine are all tied on three points, but Belgium have not yet scored.

Also read: Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine Highlights | UEFA Euro 2024

Ukraine boss Serhiy Rebrov told BBC Sport: “I’m very glad for the players. We did well but with some mistakes. We conceded a goal and reacted very well.

“It’s very good emotions for our people in Ukraine who are really missing these emotions.

“The most important thing was that we showed spirit. In tournament football, you can win or lose but it’s very important how you do this. Today we tried to save the result, we deserved this win and we played with spirit.”

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