EURO-2024 (U-19): Ukraine clinches victory against Latvia in elite qualifying round

23.03.2024 16:59

Today, March 23, the Ukrainian youth national team (players born no later than 2005) continued their campaign in the Euro 2024 (U-19) qualifying elite round.

The blue-yellow squad started their group stage successfully by defeating the hosts of the mini-tournament, North Macedonia, with a score of 2:0. Today in Skopje, our team faced their counterparts from Latvia.

In the first half, Ukrainians encountered serious resistance from their opponents. Ponomarenko attempted an inaccurate shot early on, and Evelons found himself in a striking position in the 18th minute, but Krapyvstov came to the rescue. The blue-yellow side responded with another shot from Ponomarenko, which was blocked at the last moment. Later, Sнnchuk tested the goalkeeper from outside the penalty area.

In the 34th minute, our team took the lead when Ponomarenko, after a forward pass from Matkevych, shifted to the center and accurately struck into the left bottom corner of the net. Opportunities to score were also presented to Krevsun, Synchuk, and Hadzhyev, while the Latvians had a shot from Yamonts.

At the start of the second half, Matkevych tested the goalkeeper from long range. In the 60th minute, Ponomarenko doubled the advantage for the blue-yellows by converting a penalty, which he earned himself. Towards the end of the match, the Latvians had chances to narrow the gap, but our team stood firm. Later, Tutierov could have scored but failed to convert a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

In the 89th minute, Tutierov capitalized on a pass from Vashchenko, entered the penalty area, and scored the third goal for the Ukrainian national team. Thus, under the guidance of coach Dmytro Mykhailenko, our team celebrated a victory - 3:0. The final match of the elite round will be held on March 26 against Switzerland. A draw will be enough for the Ukrainians to secure the top spot in the group and qualification for the Euro.

Euro 2024 (U-19). Elite qualifying round. Group 7

March 20, 2024

Switzerland - Latvia - 1:0

North Macedonia - Ukraine - 0:2

March 23, 2024

Ukraine (U-19) - Latvia (U-19) - 3:0 (1:0)

Goals: Ponomarenko (34, 60, penalty), Tutierov (89).

Ukraine (U-19): Krapyvstov, Husiev, Melnychenko, Yermachkov, Drozd (Stryukov, 90), Krevsun (Shevchenko, 90), Vashchenko, Hadzhyev (Tsukanov, 67), Synchuk, Ponomarenko (Dubrovnyi, 74), Matkevych (Tutierov, 67).

Latvia (U-19): Chevers, Tikhonovichs, Pours, Smirnovs, Liepinsh (Lormanis, 84), Kangars (Valutadatils, 67), Yesse, Yamonts, Grabovskis (Barkovskis, 84), Bochs (Ivulans, 61), Evelons (Mezhsargs, 61).

Yellow cards: Drozd (38), Krevsun (57), Yermachkov (85), Dubrovnyi (87) - Kangars (29), Yesse (55).

Switzerland - North Macedonia - 2:0 (1:0)

Standings

March 26, 2024:

Ukraine vs Switzerland (15:00)

Latvia vs North Macedonia (15:00)

All match times are in Kyiv local time.

The draw for the Euro 2024 Elite Qualifying Round has divided 28 teams into seven groups, with matches scheduled to take place in March. The group winners of the Elite Qualifying Round will advance to the final stage, which will be held from July 15th to 28th, 2024, in Northern Ireland. This serves as UEFA's qualification for the 2025 U-20 World Cup.

Euro 2024 (U-19) elite qualifying round groups:

Group 1: Spain, Austria, Kosovo, Slovenia

Group 2: Netherlands, Belgium, France, Lithuania

Group 3: Norway, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro

Group 4: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Greece

Group 5: Scotland, Czechia, Georgia, Italy

Group 6: Turkey, Germany, Croatia, Romania

Group 7: Switzerland, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Latvia

Reminding that, under the guidance of Oleg Kuznetsov, Ukrainians secured first place in their qualification round group.