U-21: late equalizer seals draw for Ukraine against Portugal

15.11.2024 21:30

Today, November 15, the Ukraine U-21 team played an away friendly match against Portugal U-21 to prepare for the UEFA EURO 2025 U-21 final tournament.

In November, the Blue and Yellows were allowed to play two friendly matches. The first one was held today in Alverca do Ribatejo, a city in the Lisbon district of Portugal, at the Alverca Stadium.

At the start of the match, the Ukrainians took the lead as Batagov converted a penalty earned by Tsarenko. Later, Yatsyk tested the Portuguese goalkeeper with a free kick. The hosts responded with a chance from Silva, who failed to capitalize on Yermakov's mistake. Subsequently, a danger arose near the Ukrainian goal during a corner kick. In the 17th minute, Portugal equalized when Rodrigues was left unmarked to finish at the far post.

Shortly after, Tsarenko had an opportunity but failed to beat the goalkeeper after Veleten's cross. In the 38th minute, Portugal scored their second goal, with Fernandes entering the penalty area and accurately shooting into the far corner. Before halftime, the hosts added a third, as a cross by Kenda resulted in an own goal by Batagov. Ukraine found the back of the net again through Horbach, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

During halftime, Unai Melgosa made six substitutions. One of them, Khlan, made an immediate impact by earning and converting a penalty. Later, Khlan came close to scoring again with a brilliant shot near the far post. Portugal answered with a dangerous attempt by João Marques, which Yermakov saved. Tomas also missed an opportunity, forcing Yermakov to intervene again after Muniz’s free-kick.

In the 86th minute, Ukraine managed to equalize. Batagov scored his second goal of the game by heading in a corner from Khlan. Late in the match, the hosts had another chance, but Yermakov stood strong. As a result, the match ended in a 3:3 draw.

The Ukraine U-21 team will face Italy U-21 in a friendly match in La Spezia on November 19 at Alberto Picco Stadium, kicking off at 19:15 Kyiv time.

Friendly Match. U-21 national teams.

Portugal U-21 - Ukraine U-21 – 3:3 (3:1)

Goals: Rodrigues (17), Fernandes (38), Batagov (44, own goal) – Batagov (4, penalty; 86), Khlan (56, penalty).

Portugal U-21: Carvalho, Muniz, Rodrigues (Nazinho, 46), Essugo (Santos, 46), Fernandes (J. Marques, 46), Bernardo (c) (Borges, 46), C. Marques, Kenda (Tomas, 46), Sa (Neto, 46), Silva (Araujo, 46), Gomes (Veiga, 46).

Substitutes: Pinto, Lamba, Quaresma, Moreira.

Head coach: Rui Jorge.

Ukraine U-21: Yermakov, Roman (Kuzyk, 46), Kozik (Oharkov, 69), Husiev (Krupskyi, 46), Batagov (c), Melnychenko, Yatsyk (Varfolomeyev, 46), Horbach (Vyunnyk, 46), Bragaru (Khlan, 46; Krasnopir, 90+1), Veleten (Kvasnytsia, 46), Tsarenko (Fedor, 63).

Substitutes: Neshcheret, Pakholyuk.

Head coach: Unai Melgosa.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele (Malta).

Booked: Tomas (90+2).

November 15. Alverca do Ribatejo. Alverca Stadium.

It is worth noting that the Blue and Yellows secured an early qualification for the EURO 2025 (U-21) final tournament, finishing in second place in their qualifying group.

In addition to Ukraine, 12 teams have qualified for the tournament, which will take place from June 11 to 28, 2025, across eight cities (Bratislava, Trnava, Dunajská Streda, Košice, Žilina, Trenčín, Nitra, Prešov), along with the host nation, Slovakia. Three more participants will be determined after the playoff matches, scheduled for November 15 and 19.

The draw for the final tournament, which will feature 16 teams (four groups of four), will take place on December 3 in Bratislava.

EURO 2025 (U-21) participants: host — Slovakia, group winners — Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Romania, England, Portugal, Slovenia, Denmark, best second-place teams — Ukraine, France, Poland.

Playoff contenders (other second-place teams): Finland vs. Norway, Belgium vs. Czechia, Georgia vs. Croatia.

Ranking of second-placed teams (excluding results against sixth-placed teams in the groups): Ukraine — 18 points (goal difference +9), France — 16 (+16), Poland — 16 (+12), Croatia — 16 (+1), Finland — 14 (+5), Czechia — 14 (+2), Norway — 13 (+6), Belgium — 13 (+3), Georgia — 13 (0).

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 - Azerbaijan - 5:0

October 15, 2024

Luxembourg - Northern Ireland - 0:0

England - Azerbaijan - 7:0

Serbia - Ukraine - 1:0