Ukraine has done it and beaten Slovakia in the Euro 2024 Group E clash! They needed to come from behind to seal the win and the three points have given them a chance to make it to the knockout stage.
Ivan Schranz opened the scoring with a close-range header in the 17th minute and it was all Slovakia in the first half as they stopped their opponents from creating a big chance.
The second half proved to be a different story as Mykola Shaparenko made it 1-1 for Ukranie after just 9 minutes. The restart saw the away side take control of the match and a good move gave them the much-needed equalizer.
Shaparenko then turned provider as his ball over the top saw Roman Yaremchuk chasing it into the box. His magical first touch gave him set it up for a push past the keeper and he did exactly that.
Ukraine taking the lead in the 80th minute made it too difficult for Slovakia to make a comeback. The scoreline remained intact and the Group E table got a lot more interesting.
Slovakia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Ukraine
GOALKEEPER
Martin Dúbravka – 6: Did well to make three saves in the game, but could have done a lot better for the winner. He stayed on his line instead of rushing out and putting pressure on the Ukraine forward from the start.
DEFENDERS
Peter Pekarík – 6.5: Relatively quiet match for the right-back but it was an even fight for Mudryk on his flank.
Denis Vavro – 7: Managed to keep Dovbyk quiet in the game and then did well to shadow Yaremchuk in the late stages of the match.
Milan Škriniar – 6: Could have done a lot better for both goals and was caught flat-footed on a lot of occasions.
Dávid Hancko – 6.5: Had to be taken off injured in the second half and he will be keen on getting back to the pitch for the next match. It was not a match to remember against Ukraine.
MIDFIELDERS
Juraj Kucka – 6.5: Was everywhere in the second half and was chasing the Ukraine players. However, he was not able to do much in attack and all three of his shots were off target.
Stanislav Lobotka – 7.5: Solid game as he did his duties well. Could have tracked back a bit more for the first Ukraine goal, but it was hardly his fault for both goals.
Ondrej Duda – 7: Created one chance and took one shot in the game, but he was more involved in defense today and was decent there.
FORWARDS
Ivan Schranz – 8: Good game overall and he did get the goal that gave Slovakia the lead. However, apart from that, he could not do much and needs to do a lot better off the ball.
Róbert Boženík – 6: A match to forget for the striker as he played 60 minutes and still failed to get a shot away. Managed just 12 touches and won just one duel.
Lukáš Haraslín – 7: Assisted the goal but was missing for most of the 67 minutes he spent on the pitch.
SUBSTITUTES
László Bénes – 6
David Strelec – 6
Adam Obert – 6
Tomáš Suslov – 6
Leo Sauer- 6
MANAGER
Francesco Calzona – 7
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Ukraine National Football Team Player Ratings vs Slovakia
GOALKEEPER
Anatoliy Trubin – 7.5: Replaced Lunin in the side today and he showed exactly why he needs to be playing every game. Made 4 saves and kept his side in the game in the first half.
DEFENDERS
Oleksandr Tymchyk – 6: Did well but was just not able to do much in attack when his side needed him the most.
Illia Zabarnyi – 7: Rock solid at the back and managed to win all but one of his duels with the Slovakian forwards.
Mykola Matviyenko – 7: Similar to his defensive partner but his passing was much better. Came close to getting an assist too.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 8: The best defender on the pitch today. Assisted the first goal for Ukraine and was rock solid at the back too.
MIDFIELDERS
Mykola Shaparenko – 9: A goal and an assist for the midfielder. He was interested in releasing the forwards at every chance and was ready to make the late runs into the box.
Volodymyr Brazhko – 7: A good game overall and ready to drop deep and help of the defenders at every opportunity.
Andriy Yarmolenko – 7: The captain tried his best to get the goals, but the shots were getting blocked or going off target.
Georgiy Sudakov – 6.5: Not a game to remember for the Ukraine star as he was not impacting the play enough. Linked well, but just not able to do much in the final third.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7: Created a brilliant chance early in the second half and then hit the post later in the game. Could have easily got a goal and an assist, but was let down by his teammates.
FORWARD
Artem Dovbyk – 6: No shots on target once again for the Ukraine forward and his side will be hoping that things improve in the next game.
SUBSTITUTES
Oleksandr Zubkov – 6.5
Roman Yaremchuk – 7.5
Serhiy Sydorchuk – 6
Ruslan Malinovskyi – 6
Maksym Talovierov – 5
MANAGER
Serhiy Rebrov – 8.5
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