Ukraine turned the game around and beat Slovakia 2-1

Against Slovakia, after an early deficit through Ivan Schranz (17th), goals from Mykola Schaparenko (54th) and Roman Yaremtschuk (80th) turned the game in Düsseldorf on its head.

Four days after the unsuccessful 0-3 opening match against Romania, the Ukrainians, like Slovakia, are on three points in the exciting Group E.

Ukraine goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin was in the spotlight from the start. The Benfica legionnaire came in for Champions League winner Andrij Lunin after his two mistakes against Romania and distinguished himself in the 10th minute when Slovakia had a double chance, first against Lukas Haraslin and then against Schranz, both times from close range.

A little later, however, he was beaten. After a throw-in, Haraslin was able to cross the ball unhindered and Schranz was able to head in his second goal of the tournament just as unhindered.

Counterattacks by Ukraine

Slovakia, with no personnel changes compared to the sensational 1-0 victory over Belgium, allowed their opponents more of the game, but still seemed to control the proceedings. But Ukraine used the opportunity for several counterattacks and could have scored a goal by half-time. Artem Dowbyk was blocked just in front of the goal after a great hook at the last second (28th minute), and six minutes later defender Oleksandr Tymtschyk slammed the ball against the post (34th minute).

Dowbyk also opened the second half with a good chance, but his header from a good position after a counterattack and cross from Mychajlo Mudryk did not quite reach the far corner (51′). A little later, however, the spell was broken: after winning the ball in front of their own sixteen-yard box, the ball quickly headed towards the Slovakian goal, and Schaparenko, alone in the center of the penalty area, finally scored to make it 1:1.

Ukraine was now in the flow, dominating the action and causing the Slovaks to flounder several times. There were only a few real chances, but they were enough to complete the turnaround. Mudryk only hit the post from a tight angle (74th minute), and in the next good scene, substitute Jaremtschuk took the ball well after a long pass and flicked it past goalie Martin Dubravka into the goal.

Slovakia, which already had one foot in the second European Championship round of 16 in the association’s history, was unlucky in its final offensive: Denis Vavro did not hit the ball properly after a corner from a good ten meters. Ukraine will face Belgium in a “final” on Wednesday, while Slovakia will face Romania.