June 16, the Ukraine national team played a qualifier match for Euro-2024 in Skopje at the «Toshe Proeski» Stadium against North Macedonia.

The blue and yellow team started their June marathon with a friendly match against Germany (3:3), which was the first for Serhiy Rebrov as head coach of the national team. Now, however, Ukraine has traveled to Skopje for an Euro-2024 qualifier.

Due to injuries, Bondar and Pichalenko could not help out our national team, while Kochergin and Rusyn were also left out of the squad. The starting lineup remained the same as it was four days ago in Bremen.

In the first half, the hosts demonstrated a more cohesive game, while Ukraine only managed to threaten with Mykolenko's shot over the goal. Gradually, North Macedonia's attacks became sharper, and on the 31st minute, they opened the score. Bardy converted a penalty awarded for Matviyenko's handball in his own penalty area. 1:0.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Furthermore, on the 39th minute, Elmash delivered a stunning shot from distance and doubled his team's lead. Just before halftime, Trubin and Stepanenko prevented their opponents from scoring a third goal.

However, in the second half, the situation on the field changed dramatically. In the first minutes after halftime, Ukraine still did not launch focused attacks, but gradually found keys to the hosts' defense. On the 62nd minute, Zabarnyi following a cross from Tsygankov and on the 67th Konoplya following a dribble and shot by Mudryk scored their first goals for the national team. 2:2.

Later, fortune was also on our team's side. Mustaliu earned his second yellow card, leaving North Macedonia in numerical disadvantage. Then with two dangerous shots, one from a penalty and another after a diagonal pass by Sudakov, Tsygankov made an impression. With the third attempt, Viktor finally sent the ball into the net — a precise pass directly to his teammate's head was executed by Mudryk.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Ukraine managed to turn the game around, scoring three goals in the second half. In the last minutes of the match, with a numerical advantage, Rebrov's wards held onto their lead and secured their first points.

Now, blue and yellow are awaiting another Euro-2024 qualifier match — on June 19 against Malta. The nominal home game will be played in Trnava, Slovakia at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium (kickoff — 7 PM Kyiv time).

EURO-2024. Qualifying tournament. Group S

Round 3

North Macedonia — Ukraine — 2:3 (2:0)

Goals: Bardy (31, from the penalty), Elmash (39) — Zabarnyi (62), Konoplya (67), Tsygankov (83).

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski, S. Ristovski (c), Zajkov, Mustaliu, Alioski, Bardy (Athanassov, 65), Ashkovski (Brdarovski, 65, Dor. Babunski, 90+1), Trajkovski (Doriev, 75), Nesterovski (M. Ristovski, 65), Elmash.

Substitutes: Iliev, Shishkovski, Velkovski, Manjev, Dav. Babunski, Elezi, Dimoski.

Coach: Blagoy Milevski.

Ukraine: Trubin (Konoplya, 46), Timchik (Zabarnyi, 46), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko, Tsygankov (Zubkov, 90+3), Stepanenko, Sudakov, Mudryk (Sidorchuk, 90), Yarmolenko (Malinovskyi, 66), Dovbik (Vana, 46).

Substitutes: Bushchan, Lunin, Sobolev, Svynok, Krivtsov, Boyal'skyi, Yagnatenko.

Referee: Lucas Fendrich (Switzerland).

Yellow cards: S. Ristovski (8), Mustaliu (55), Shishkovski (90+5, off the field) — Dovbik (45+1), Mykolenko (90+5).

Red card: Mustaliu (73, second yellow).

June 16. Skopje. Toshe Proeski Stadium.

Malta — England — 0:4 (0:3)

Tournament table

Round 4

19.06.2023

Ukraine — Malta (19.00)

England — North Macedonia (21.45)