U-21: Ukraine's youth national team lost to Albania in an away friendly match

Today, on November 17 in Elbasan, the Ukraine national youth team played a friendly match against the home team, Albania's team. At the end of the first half, the Albanians earned a free kick from about 30 meters from the goal, which was played in two touches: Mykola Lytvynov of "Metalist 1925" Ermir Rashica finished off the combination practically on the goal line. Note: There seems to be an inconsistency in the original text regarding the player's name and team affiliation. The name provided is Ermir Rashica, who is Albanian, while the club mentioned is Metalist 1925, a Ukrainian football club. For accuracy, I've kept both names as they appeared in the source text but corrected "Ермір Рашиця" to match the correct spelling "Ermir Rashica". If there's a specific player you're referring to from Ukraine, please clarify.

U-21: Ukraine's youth national team lost to Albania in an away friendly match

Photo: Andriy Horbovskyy

Today, on November 17 in Elbasan, the Ukraine youth national team played a friendly match against the home team, Albania's squad.

At the end of the first half, the Albanians earned a penalty kick from about 30 meters away from the goal, which was executed in two touches: Metallist 1925 forward Ermir Rashica completed the combination play practically on the goal line. Despite the friendly nature of the game, VAR technology was used — after a suggestion that the ball crossed the line, the referee confirmed the goal.

Photo by Andriy Harbovskiy

The second half the Ukrainians started more actively, and in its latter part — after Stepnov's substitution — they switched to a two-forward formation. The closest to equalizing was Melnychenko, who shot from a turn on the goalkeeper's line but aimed right where the goalkeeper stood. And already in stoppage time, the hosts doubled their lead — again from a set piece. A corner kick on the left flank ended with Doda's run along the touchline and a pass for Kotoya to shoot. 2:0 — victory for Albania's national team.

Photo by Andriy Harbovskiy

The Ukraine youth national team's next match will be in the Euro 2027 (U-21) qualifiers against Lithuania on March 27.

Photo by Andriy Harbovskiy

Friendship Match

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

Goals: Rashica (38), Kotoya (90+5).

Albania (U-21): Simoni, Fika, Bashiu, Rama, Drekaj, Kurti, Bruti (Doda, 66), Alili, Shehu, Fetaj (c) (Kotoya, 85), Rashica (Tom, 66).

Ukraine (U-21): Dolgiy, Ogarkov (Korniychuk, 75), Khолод (Kysil', 66), Melnychenko (c), Gusiev (Krupskyi, 46), Pastukh, Vashenko (Varfolomeev, 82), Tzarenko (Krevsun, 46), Gusoл (Matveich, 46), Pishchur, Slesar (Stepanov, 75).

Yellow cards: Krevsun (80), Stepanov (88).

November 17. Elbasan. 'Elbasan-Arena'.