In Istanbul at the «Esenyurt Nedjmi Kadioglu» arena, Ukraine's youth national team played a match in the Euro-2023 (U-21) qualification round against North Macedonia.

Photo by the UAF press service

Our team took control from the first minute. However, it wasn't until the 29th minute that Dinkovski parried a shot by Sudakov. Vyunyk and Kryskiv also had chances to score, but once again, the North Macedonian goalkeeper was up to the task. At times, the blue-and-yellow team almost broke through the opposition's defense, but the ball never found its way into their net during the first half.

The second half also saw a clear advantage for Rostan's wards who hardly left the opponents' half of the field. However, once again, no precise shots were taken until midway through the match. As time went on, North Macedonia began to tire more and more. Thankfully, the blue-and-yellow team didn't slow down and scored two goals in three minutes, from the 69th to the 71st minute. Vyunyk capitalized on a pass by Vanat, followed by Sudakov finishing off a shot by Vanat. The score was 2:0.

Photo by the UAF press service

On the 78th minute, Ukraine had another chance to score a third goal but Vanat's shot was parried by the visiting goalkeeper and Vyunyk's follow-up hit the crossbar. Despite this, Vanat certainly deserves to be considered the hero of the match after coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute and contributing two assists before scoring twice more, in the 85th and 90+4th minutes. The final score was 4:0.

It's worth noting that Rostan's wards, who earlier secured at least second place in their group, still have a chance to top the table theoretically. However, even second place could prove golden under certain circumstances.

We remind you that 16 teams will participate in the final stage of Euro-2023 (U-21) — Romania and Georgia as hosts plus 14 qualifiers from the preliminary round (nine group winners, the best team among second-placed sides, and four playoff victors).

EURO 2023 (U-21). Qualifying Tournament. Group H

May 5, 2022

Ukraine — North Macedonia — 4:0 (0:0)

Goals: Vyunyk (69), Sudakov (71), Vanat (85, 90+4).

Ukraine: Neishcherev, Sytsch, Taloviyev, Bol, Vycharenko, Mykhaylenko (Vanat, 65), Bondarenko, Kryskiv (Zhelizko, 78), Sudakov (Biloshovskyi, 86), Vyunyk (Bragaru, 86), Supryaga (Khlan', 78).

North Macedonia: Dinkovski, Khaidari, Mladenovskiy, Maniev, Shey (Krstevskiy, 61), Zlatkov (Stoychevskiy, 84), Eminy (Nikolov, 74), Todorovskiy, Stanovskiy (Elezi, 74), Tashevskiy, Ilievskiy (Abazi, 61).

Referee: G. Kikacheyshvili (Georgia).

May 5. «Esenyurt Nedjmi Kadioglu» Stadium.

Tournament Table

May 6, 2022

Armenia — France

May 7, 2022

Faroe Islands — Serbia

May 9, 2022

Ukraine — France

May 12, 2022

Armenia — Ukraine

Playoffs: September 20–27, 2022.

Final Tournament: June/July 2023.

The tournament involving 16 national teams will be hosted by four stadiums in Romania (two in Cluj-Napoca and two in Bucharest) and four in Georgia (in Batumi, Poti, and two in Tbilisi). The opening match will take place in Romania, while the final will be held in Georgia.