EURO 2025 (U-21): Ukraine U-21 suffers first defeat in qualifiers against England

11.10.2024 23:39

Today, Ukraine's U-21 team played another match in the UEFA EURO 2025 (U-21) qualifying tournament, facing England.

Before this match, Unai Melgosa's side had won eight out of eight games. However, today at Dean Court Stadium in Bournemouth, they faced their toughest opponents in the group — England.

In the first half, the hosts dominated, taking seven shots at Neshcheret's goal (one on target), while Ukraine failed to respond with a single attempt. Ben Futcher's team created three dangerous chances, with Omari Hutchinson posing the greatest threat. His shots in the 16th and 45th minutes narrowly missed the target, and in another instance, McAtee's strike was saved by Neshcheret.

After the break, Ukraine improved in attack, and chances began to emerge for both sides. Voloshyn's effort was countered by opportunities for McAtee and Philogene. In the 71st minute, Unai Melgosa's men took the lead. Ocheretko delivered a corner to the far post, where Mykhavko headed it in brilliantly.

However, England managed not only to equalize but also to secure the win. In the 88th minute, McAtee executed a perfect free kick to level the score, and in the second minute of stoppage time, he completed his brace, giving England a 2:1 victory. Despite this defeat, Ukraine's U-21 team remains qualified for the final tournament, with the draw set to take place on December 3 in Bratislava.

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

England U-21 — Ukraine U-21 — 2:1 (0:0)

Goals: McAtee (88, 90+2) — Mykhavko (71).

England U-21: Trafford, Gray (Rodgers, 63), Harwood-Bellis, Quansah, Hall, Philogene (Ailing-Junior, 84), McAtee, Morton (Anderson, 78), Hinshelwood (Scarlett, 84), Hutchinson (Gittens, 64), Delap.

Ukraine U-21: Neshcheret, Vivcharenko, Mykhavko, Melnychenko, Krupskyi (Bragaru, 46), Yarmolyuk, Fedor (Yatsyk, 72), Ocheretko, Khlan (Smolyakov, 56), Krasnopir (Horbach, 56), Voloshyn (Kvasnytsia, 84).

Referee: Joakim Oestling (Sweden).

Booked: Gray (55), Philogene (56), Hall (89) — Khlan (26).

October 11. Bournemouth. Dean Court Stadium.

Standings

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

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 - Ukraine - 1:2

Azerbaijan - Serbia - 0:2

October 11, 2024

England - Ukraine - 2:1

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).