Alexander Kosenko's wards continued their fight in the main round of World Cup 2024 qualification with a match against the Netherlands. Due to Russia’s military invasion, Ukraine's national team hosted its opponent in the Latvian city of Jelgava.

In the previous group 11 game, blue-and-yellow defeated Kosovo (3:1) in Salaspils. Now, however, Ukrainians faced the Netherlands team which conceded to them in the final tournament of Euro-2022 with a score of 2:3.

In the early minutes, Dutch players tested Cipun several times, to which our boys responded with inaccurate shots from Zvarych and Syr. However, on the sixth minute, blue-and-yellow opened the scoreboard — Shourma precisely scored after an out pass from Zvarych. Soon afterwards, Ukraine’s lead was doubled by Korsun, who made a play in midfield, broke through to the goal, and put the ball into the net.

Kosenko's wards continued to dominate on the field. On the 12th minute, Lebid set up Abakshin one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and Daniil outmaneuvered the keeper to score the third goal for the nominal hosts. However, shortly thereafter, the Dutch scored two goals in a row thanks to a brace from Bouzambo within one minute. Furthermore, just before halftime, Cipun saved Ukraine's team after an unsafe shot by Ben Halu.

In the second half, both teams remained goalless for a long time despite regular chances near both goals. On the 32nd minute of the second period, Bouzambo received his second yellow card, but Ukrainians failed to score against Kuyk during their two-minute advantage.

Blue-and-yellow skillfully maintained their winning lead, although towards the end of the match, Te Vrede missed from a dangerous position, and Cipun saved after a shot by Djurlic. On the 40th minute when the opponent played with five field players, Korsun set the final score with an empty-net goal — 4:2.

Thus, blue-and-yellow started their path in this round with two consecutive wins and lead their group. The next match for Ukraine's national team will be away against Kosovo on November 9th.

WC-2024. European Qualification. Main Round. Group 11

September 18, 2022

Netherlands — Kosovo — 2:1

October 7, 2022

Ukraine — Kosovo — 3:1

October 11, 2022

Ukraine — Netherlands — 4:2 (3:2)

Goals: Shourma (6), Korsun (10, 40), Abakshin (12) — Bouzambo (14, 14).

Ukraine: Cipun — Chernyavskyi, Korsun, Shourma, Zvarych; Savenko, Radevich, Maliishko, Melnyk, Lebid, Mykytyuk, Syryi, Abakshin, Farenyuk.

Netherlands: Stet — Dahmani, Djurlic, Bouzambo, Martinus; Kuyk, Bouzambo, Ben Halu, Velsenburg, Attayibi, Tarifiit, Te Vrede, Chih, Amghar.

Warned: Korsun (13), Radevich (31) — Velsenburg (16), Tarifiit (28), Bouzambo (31), Ben Halu (35).

Expelled: Bouzambo (32, N).

October 11. Jelgava. Zemgale Olympic Center.

Tournament Table

November 9, 2022

Kosovo — Ukraine (18.00)

March 3, 2023

Kosovo — Netherlands

March 8, 2023

Netherlands — Ukraine

In the main round, 36 national teams are divided into 12 groups of three teams, where matches will take place home and away. The 12 group winners and four best second-placed finishers advance to the elite round. The other eight second-placed finishers participate in the playoff stage of the main round.

WC-2024. European Qualification. Main Round

Group 1: Spain, Moldova, Cyprus.

Group 2: Georgia, Belgium, Austria.

Group 3: Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia.

Group 4: Portugal, Belarus, Lithuania.

Group 5: Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Montenegro.

Group 6: Azerbaijan, Poland, Greece.

Group 7: Croatia, Hungary, Israel.

Group 8: Finland, Romania, Denmark.

Group 9: Serbia, France, Norway.

Group 10: Italy, North Macedonia, Sweden.

Group 11: Ukraine, Netherlands, Kosovo.

Group 12: Slovakia, Latvia, Germany.

Format

Qualification takes place over five stages: preliminary round (mini-tournaments), main round (groups with home and away matches), playoff stage of the main round (home and away matches), elite round (groups with home and away matches) and playoff stage of the elite round (home and away matches).

Playoff Stage of the Main Round

Drawing: March 10, 2023.

Matches: April 10—19, 2023.

Eight teams will be divided into four pairs and matches will take place home and away. The winners advance to the elite round.

Elite Round

Drawing: July 5, 2023.

Matches: will be completed by December 20, 2023.

Twenty national teams will be divided into five groups of four teams each and matches will take place home and away. The five group winners advance to the WC-2024. Four best second-placed finishers advance to the playoff stage of the elite round. If a European association is selected for hosting the final tournament, only two best second-placed finishers advance to the playoff stage of the elite round.

Playoff Stage of the Elite Round

Drawing: January 25, 2024.

Matches: April 8—17, 2024.

Four teams will be divided into two pairs (if only two teams participate in the playoff stage, a draw will determine match order), and matches will take place home and away. The winners advance to WC-2024.