Today, on October 14 in Prague, Czech Republic, Ukraine's national team played a qualification match for Euro-2024 against North Macedonia.Despite playing away from home, the support of the fans at «Epet Arena» was noticeable.

The team led by Serhiy Rebrov faced some personnel issues, notably Andriy Yarmolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko were not in attendance due to injuries, while Volodymyr Krivцов could not participate due to an injury. Additionally, Popov and Rusyn did not make the matchday squad.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The first minutes of the encounter were marked by intense battles, but gradually Ukraine's national team took control. Initially, Dimytrievsky pulled off saves from Dovbik and Mudryk who entered the penalty area through the flank. Later, active shots from far distance were made by Mudryk and Konoplya. North Macedonia responded with their own moment when Miovski concluded a counterattack, but Trubin parried his shot.

At the 30th minute mark, our team opened the score: Sudakov intercepted, played one-two with Zinchenko and scored from distance, while the ball ricocheted off Seraphimov into the net. This is Georgiy's first goal for the national team.

After this, North Macedonia took control and had opportunities to equalize. First, Miovski in a penalty area outmaneuvered Matviyenko, but Trubin was there. Later, Ashkovsky approached Anatoli's possession through the right flank — here our goalkeeper won the duel. Also worth mentioning is Elmaz's cross that went wide.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

At the beginning of the second half, Dovbik failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity, although he was offside. On the 53rd minute, Churlinov broke into our penalty area but Trubin saved Ukraine. Soon after, blue-and-yellow missed two great chances. First, Dovbik escaped in a counterattack and passed to Mudryk, who lost the duel with the goalkeeper. Then Matviyenko hit the crossbar from Zinchenko's corner kick.

Subsequently, the Balkan team controlled possession, trying to level the score. From distance, Ademi shot at goal. Ukraine responded with a beautiful long-range shot by Mudryk — the ball flew past the post. Shortly after, Dimytrievsky saved a powerful shot from Sudakov on the crossbar.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

At the 87th minute, Malinovsky initiated a counterattack, passed to Yaremchuk, but the striker failed to beat the Macedonian goalkeeper. However, in stoppage time, Ukraine did score again: after intercepting on their own half, Karavaev broke down the left flank and, noticing that the goalkeeper had come out far, scored with a long-range shot into an empty net. 2-0 — a hard-fought victory for blue-and-yellow.

Now Ukraine's national team awaits another Euro-2024 qualification match on October 17 against Malta (kickoff at 9:45 PM Kyiv time).

EURO-2024. Qualification Tournament. Group S

Matchday 7

Ukraine — North Macedonia — 2:0 (1-0)

Goals: Sudakov (30), Karavaev (90+5).

Ukraine: Trubin, Konoplya, Zabarny, Matviyenko, Mykolenko, Stepansky (c), Zinchenko (Sidorchuk, 76), Zubkov (Malynovsky, 68), Sudakov (Swatok, 87), Mudryk (Karavaev, 87), Dovbik (Yaremchuk, 76).

Substitutes: Bushchan, Riznyk, Mykhailichenko, Boyal'skyi, Nazarina, Pikhalyonok, Vanat.

Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.

North Macedonia: Dimytrievsky, Manev (Churlinov, 46), Seraphimov, Musliu, Ashkovsky (Dimoski, 46), Elezi (Doriev, 74), Atanasov (Ademi, 62), Bardy (c), Aliosky, Elmaz, Miovski (Trykovskyi, 84).

Substitutes: Aleksandrovskyi, Shishkovskyi, Ilyazovskyi, Mitrovs'kyi, Alimi, Ristovskyi, Todorovskyi.

Referee: Slavko Vinčič (Slovenia).

Yellow cards: Malynovsky (69), Zinchenko (90+6, off the field) — Seraphimov (90+2), Ademi (90+4).

October 14. Prague. "Epet Arena".

Italy — Malta (21:45)

Standing Table

Matchday 8

October 17, 2023

England — Italy (21:45)

Malta — Ukraine (21:45)