EURO 2025 (U-21): Ukraine secures a comeback victory over Serbia in Riga

06.09.2024 20:58

On September 6, in Riga, Ukraine U-21 played their next match in the EURO 2025 (U-21) qualifying tournament against Serbia.

Photo by Anatoliy Riepin

Ukraine entered the match as the leaders of Group F, and despite conceding early, they upheld their status. In the 7th minute, after a corner kick, the ball found Baždarić, who put it into Ukraine's net.

Ukraine equalized in the 34th minute when Batagov made a perfect through pass to Voloshyn, who struck first-time into the corner from the edge of the box to make it 1:1. Voloshyn had another chance in the 41st minute after cutting inside from the left, but Serbia's goalkeeper tipped his shot wide for a corner.

Early in the second half, Voloshyn once again cut inside and fired a dangerous shot, but the Serbian goalkeeper denied him.

In the 58th minute, Serbia’s goalkeeper fouled Kvasnytsia after a rebound attempt, and the referee awarded a penalty. Yarmolyuk calmly converted it with a shot down the middle.

Ukraine had a chance to extend their lead in the 87th minute, but Fedor's shot from the edge of the box hit the post.

The match ended 2:1 in favor of Ukraine U-21, securing at least a playoff spot in the qualifiers. The team is now guaranteed to finish no lower than second place in the group.

Photo by Anatoliy Riepin

EURO 2025 (U-21) Qualifying Tournament. Group F

Ukraine U-21 — Serbia U-21 — 2:1 (1:1)

Goals: Voloshyn (34), Yarmolyuk (58, pen.) — Baždarić (7)

Ukraine U-21: Neshcheret, Smolyakov, Batagov, Salyuk, Krupskyi (Roman, 77), Yarmolyuk (Yatsyk, 59), Rubchynskyi (Fedor, 77), Ocheretko, Voloshyn (Melnychenko, 77), Krasnopir, Kvasnytsia (Bragaru, 59).

Serbia U-21: Lijeskić, Miličić, Ilić, Serafimović (Veličković, 67), Milovanović, Džodić, Vukićević, Mimović, Baždarić, Mijatović, Šljivić (Trifunović, 67).

Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy)

Booked: Šljivić (39), Lijeskić (57)

September 6. Riga. LNK Sporta Parks.

Standings

September 7, 2023

Northern Ireland - Luxembourg - 0:1

September 11, 2023

Luxembourg - England - 0:3

September 12, 2023

Ukraine - Northern Ireland - 1:0

Serbia - Azerbaijan - 2:0

October 12, 2023

Azerbaijan - Northern Ireland - 0:1

Luxembourg - Ukraine - 0:3

England - Serbia - 9:1

October 16, 2023

Ukraine - England - 3:2

Northern Ireland - Serbia - 1:2

October 17, 2023

Azerbaijan - Luxembourg - 3:2

November 17, 2023

Ukraine - Luxembourg - 4:0

November 18, 2023

Serbia - England - 0:3

November 21, 2023

Ukraine - Azerbaijan - 1:0

Serbia - Luxembourg - 2:0

England - Northern Ireland - 3:0

March 23, 2024

Azerbaijan - England - 1:5

Luxembourg - Serbia - 1:1

March 26, 2024

Azerbaijan - Ukraine - 0:3

Serbia - Northern Ireland - 1:2

England - Luxembourg - 7:0

September 6, 2024

Luxembourg - Azerbaijan - 2:0

Northern Ireland - England - 0:0

Ukraine - Serbia - 2:1

September 10, 2024

Northern Ireland vs. Ukraine

Azerbaijan vs. Serbia

October 11, 2024

England vs. Ukraine

October 12, 2024

Northern Ireland vs. Azerbaijan

October 15, 2024

Luxembourg vs. Northern Ireland

England vs. Azerbaijan

Serbia vs. Ukraine

Play-offs: November 11-19, 2024.

In the final stage of EURO 2025 (U-21), 16 teams will compete: Slovakia and 15 other national teams that will join based on the qualification results (nine group winners, three best teams among the second-place finishers, and three play-off winners among the six second-place finishers).