In the opening round of League B, both teams had disappointing starts. Czechia suffered a heavy defeat to Georgia (1:4), while Ukraine lost to Albania (1:2). The Blue and Yellows were once again playing in Prague, but this time as the visiting side.

Compared to the previous match, coach Serhiy Rebrov made six changes to the starting lineup. Notably, Sydorchuk was left out of the squad, while Mudryk returned to the starting eleven.

Photo by Vitaliy Kliuiev

The match began with both teams creating attacking opportunities. For Ukraine, Matviyenko’s shot from a Mudryk set-piece went over the crossbar, and Vanat almost capitalized on a mistake by the opponent, but his shot was blocked. Ukraine’s defense also blocked a few shots from the hosts, and Trubin saved a shot with a deflection from Provod.

In the 21st minute, Ivan Hasek’s team took the lead — Shaparenko made an error in his own penalty area, Cerny took advantage of it, and Sulc finished off the pass from his teammate. Ukraine had a chance to equalize in the 35th minute when Zabarnyi hit the crossbar from a Mudryk corner. However, the Blue and Yellows did score soon after, with Vanat heading in Shaparenko’s cross for his debut goal for the national team.

Czechia responded with a long-range shot from Cerny that was close to the post. Just before halftime, the hosts’ attack ended with a cross, a series of ricochets, and a follow-up from Sulc, who scored with a superb strike on his second touch.

Photo by Dan Balashov

Ukraine started the second half well but only created a truly dangerous moment in the 64th minute when Vanat narrowly missed the target after a set-piece from Zinchenko. Later, Mudryk received a pass from Zinchenko in the penalty area but shot wide of the far post.

However, Czechia managed to score again. In the 80th minute, Souček converted a penalty awarded for a handball by Matviyenko. Soon after, Ukraine pulled one back — Sudakov headed in a great cross from Tsygankov.

Pikhalyonok had a chance to score but was denied by Kovar. In added time, Sudakov had another opportunity, but Kovar once again made the save. Unfortunately, the Blue and Yellows suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Nations League, losing 2:3.

Photo by Dan Balashov

Photo by Vitaliy Kliuiev

UEFA Nations League 2024/2025. Group B1

Matchday 2

Czechia — Ukraine — 3:2 (2:1)

Goals: Sulc (21, 45+2), Souček (80, penalty) — Vanat (37), Sudakov (84)

Czechia: Kovar, Vítík, Krejčí, Zeleny, Coufal, Souček (c), Červ (Král, 89), Provod (Lingr, 65), Cerny (Hlozek, 65), Chory (Schick, 80), Sulc (Kusej, 80)

Substitutes: Zadražil, Marković, Zima, Hrančar, Čvančara, Kalvach

Coach: Ivan Hašek

Ukraine: Trubin, Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko, Stepanenko (Malinovskyi, 80), Yarmolenko (c) (Tsygankov, 68), Shaparenko (Sudakov, 68), Zinchenko (Pikhalyonok, 84), Mudryk, Vanat (Yaremchuk, 80)

Substitutes: Bushchan, Lunin, Konoplya, Bondar, Talovierov, Kabaiev, Brazhko

Coach: Serhiy Rebrov

Referee: John Beaton (Scotland)

Booked: Krejčí (47), Vítík (48), Cerny (54), Souček (64), Zeleny (68) — Sudakov (70), Yaremchuk (81)

September 10. Prague. Eden Arena

Albania — Georgia — 0:1 (0:0)

Standings

Matchday 3

October 11, 2024

Ukraine vs. Georgia at 21:45

Czechia vs. Albania at 21:45