Today, March 21, the national team of Ukraine played an away match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semifinal round of the Euro-2024 qualification playoff.

Having secured third place in Group C, the blue-and-yellow team maintained their chances for the final tournament. Our team was drawn into Path B of the playoffs, where they faced Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the semifinal round. The match took place in Zenica at Bilino Polje Stadium.

Excluding Karavaev, Popov, Pichalenko, Tsygankov, and Sykhan from the lineup, Serhiy Rebrov included debutant Brahtsio in the starting eleven. Lunin took his place in goal.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

The first half was marked by intense battles on every inch of the field. The Ukrainians had more possession but struggled to break through the tight defense of their opponents. There were few shots from both sides, though towards the end of the half, the Bosnian team began to attack more aggressively. Edin Džeko missed his best chance when he shot wide after a good combination play, while Konoplyanik again cleared the ball during a corner kick.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

At the start of the second half, Ukraine conducted several decent attacks but failed to convert them into goals. However, on the 56th minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina scored — Dedić capitalized on a corner kick after it ricocheted off Matviyenko.

After this goal, the hosts closed up shop in their own half of the field. It was not until the 77th minute that Mykhalo Mudryk made his first shot towards Šehić’s goal. Soon after, Bosnia and Herzegovina threatened again but Lunin managed to parry a dangerous shot from Demirović.

However, Ukraine's players were able to turn the game around. On the 85th minute, our team equalized — Mudryk passed to Konoplyanik on the right flank, whose cross was finished by Yaremchuk. Shortly after, Dovbik headed in a cross from Yaremchuk's left flank, putting Ukraine ahead. In stoppage time, Mudryk almost scored again.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

In the end, Ukraine secured a hard-fought victory in Zenica — 2:1. Now our team will face Iceland for a spot at Euro-2024, who defeated Israel in their semifinal match. The game will take place on March 26 at Taraschanka Arena Wrocław in Wroclaw, Poland and kick off at 8:45 PM local time (9:45 PM Kyiv time).

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

Playoff of the League of Nations/Euro 2024 Qualification. Path B

Semifinal

Bosnia and Herzegovina — Ukraine — 1:2 (0:0)

Goals: Matviyenko (56, own goal) — Yaremchuk (85), Dovbik (88).

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Šehić, Ahmedhodžić (Kovačević, 82), Hajrakaduñić, Kolasić, Dedić (Čivjić, 67), Čimirčić, Hayradaović (Pjanic, 82), Krunic (Rahmanovic, 90+2), Gazibegovic, Džeko (c), Demirović.

Reserves: Vasilj, Pirić, Bašić, Prevljak, Varošanović, Tabačković, Husseinić, Mujić.

Coach: Savo Milošević.

Ukraine: Lunin, Konoplyanik, Zabarny, Matviyenko, Mykhalenko, Brahtsio (Yaremchuk, 81), Zinchenko (c) (Malynovskyi, 76), Zubkov (Gutsulak, 76), Sudaiko, Mudryk, Dovbik (Taloveyrov, 90+2).

Reserves: Bushchan, Trubin, Mykhailichenko, Sidorchuk, Shaparenko, Bondar, Vanat, Timchik.

Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany).

Yellow cards: Kolasić (9), Gazibegovic (26), Ahmedhodžić (79), Kovačević (90+4) — Matviyenko (16), Konoplyanik (59), Yaremchuk (90+1), Lunin (90+6).

March 21. Zenica. Bilino Polje Stadium.

Israel — Iceland — 1:4 (1:2)

Photos by Andriy Yushchak