UKRAINE produced a memorable comeback to reignite their Euros hopes in Dusseldorf – denting Slovakia’s chances of progressing to the last 16.
After a dismal 3-0 capitulation to Romania in their Group E opener, the Ukrainians fought from behind to finally prove their mettle out in Germany.
Ivan Schranz – after his winning strike to down Belgium – netted again in the 17th minute to put the Slovaks within touching distance of the Euros knock-out rounds for the second time in their history.
But Mykola Shaparenko sparked a second half turnaround in the 54th minute before substitute Roman Yaremchuk stepped up with a crucial 80th minute winner.
It was a goal that has shaken an unpredictable Group E even further and silenced the doubters who felt Ukraine would end up being this tournament’s whipping boys, setting up an edgy group finale against Belgium while Slovakia must get a result against Romania.
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The Slovaks will be praying that lightning does not strike twice – having also won their opening group clash at Euro 2020 only to be knocked out after back-to-back defeats.
As promised in the build-up, Ukraine boss Serhiy Rebrov made wholesale changes from their Romanian collapse – four to be precise – the most intriguing coming in goal as Anatoliy Trubin replaced Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin in goal after his calamitous opening day outing.
It looked to be a good decision early doors as 22-year-old Trubin made three important saves inside the opening 16 minutes with Slovakia carrying on where they left off against Belgium.
But the Ukraine shot-stopper could do nothing to deny the Slovaks taking the lead soon after as some poor defending from the men in yellow was brutally punished.
A quick throw was lobbed to the far post by Lukas Haraslin and as Oleksandr Zinchenko missed his header, Schranz connected with his for his second of the group.
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He is just the second player in Slovakia’s history to net twice at one major tournament.
It was the 30-year-old Slavia Prague winger’s fifth goal in 24 caps, one that had Ukraine fearing a second successive Euros group stage thumping.
Already, the Ukrainians looked out of ideas as Mykhailo Mudryk needlessly blazed a shot from range over the bar followed by a scream of frustration.
You could see why it took them 77 minutes to have their first shot on target against Romania.
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Calmer heads soon prevailed as Chelsea’s Mudryk played a neat ball in behind for Artem Dovbyk only to be denied by some brilliant last-ditch defending.
Mudryk was involved again with a curler blocked on the edge of the box, and after a one-two between Dovbyk and Andriy Yarmolenko, the post was rattled by Oleksandr Tymchyk.
Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka looked to get a fingernail to the effort, and was alert again to smother and indecisive Mudryk after nodding a header past Slovak left-back Denis Vavro.
Slovakia reminded Ukraine of their attacking prowess just before the break, Haraslin pouncing on a loose ball and cutting inside to test the gloves of Trubin yet again.
Yet Ukraine kept probing in the second half through more impressive play by Mudryk, darting down the wing and should have picked up an assist with Dovbyk fluffing his free header from six yards.
There was nothing fluffed about Shaparenko’s finish moments later however, firing into the bottom corner from Zinchenko’s low delivery. You could feel the relief ooze from those yellow shirts.
It went from bad to worse for Slovakia as David Hancko – an injury doubt before this one – was forced off with a groin injury.
Ukraine sensed an opportunity – Mudryk coming close with a stabbed shot at the near post.
But it was Shaparenko at the heart of things to give Ukraine an emotional winner with 10 minutes remaining. A lobbed pass was toe-poked past Dubravka by Yaremchuk before watching the ball dribble over the line.
