Before this, the players under Sergiy Rebrov had completed half of their October task by defeating North Macedonia in Prague (2:0). Now, however, Ukraine's national team arrived on Malta to claim three points. Kryvtsov (injury) and Malynovskyi (yellow card accumulation) could not help the blue-and-yellow shirts today, while Stepanenko was also left out of the matchday squad. Additionally, the coaching staff made some minor rotations.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The first half of the match was uneven. Our team controlled possession but struggled to create opportunities, with players making many mistakes. On the 12th minute, Malta took the lead when Pol Mbong broke away from defenders during an attack and scored past Trubin.

For a long time, Ukraine could not get close to Bonello's goalkeeping until the islanders helped themselves. At the 38th minute, Sudakov delivered a pass, and Kamenzuli inadvertently sent the ball into his own net from the far post. Soon after, Ukraine was leading—the score—Mudryk won a penalty that Dovbik converted.

Before halftime, Malta nearly equalized—Guillaume's shot hit the crossbar. A moment later, he tested Trubin with a free-kick. The Ukrainians did not hesitate to respond, but Mudryk missed Bonello's mistake and allowed the goalkeeper to make a save.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

At the start of the second half, both teams exchanged a few shots. Gradually, Ukraine regained control of the ball, but this did not prevent Malta from launching dangerous attacks. For example, on the 61st minute, Trubin had to make a save after Nwoko's shot.

Later, Mudryk made a long-range attempt that was saved by Bonello. In response, Malta threatened with an unsafe shot from Joseph Mbong which went over the bar. Near the end of the match, Mudryk settled all questions about the winner by scoring his first goal for the national team. Mykhailo broke through on the flank, moved to the center and delivered a brilliant long-range shot into the far corner.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

After this, Zubkov and Konoplia had good chances but failed to score the fourth goal. So we have a victory for Sergiy Rebrov's team with a 3-1 scoreline, which puts them in second place in the group. Now Ukraine faces their final and decisive qualifier match against Italy. The home game for the blue-and-yellow shirts will take place on November 20th in Leverkusen, Germany.

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers. Group S

8th round

Malta — Ukraine — 1:3 (1:2)

Goals: P. Mbong (12) — Kamenzuli (38, own goal), Dovbik (43, from the penalty), Mudryk (85).

Malta: Bonello, D. Mbong (Attard, 78), S. Borg (c), Pepe, J. Borg, Kamenzuli, Guillaume, N. Muscat (Kristensen, 68), Nwoko (Sataryano, 68), P. Mbong (Montebello, 87).

Substitutes: Al-Tummi, Galea, Shaw, Payber, Overend, Z. Muscat, Apap.

Coach: Michele Marcolini.

Ukraine: Trubin, Karavaev (Zubkov, 76), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko (Svatok, 46), Mykolenko, Sidorchuk, Zenchenko (c) (Pikhalonok, 87), Vanat (Konoplia, 67), Sudakov (Nazaryna, 67), Mudryk, Dovbik.

Substitutes: Bushchan, Ryzhnik, Mykhailichenko, Yaremchuk, Boyal'skyi, Rusin, Popov.

Coach: Sergiy Rebrov.

Referee: Morten Krogh (Denmark).

Yellow cards: Marcolini (59, not on the field), Pisanì (90+3) — Matviyenko (31), Zubkov (90+3).

October 17. Ta' Qali. National Stadium.

England — Italy — 3:1 (1:1)

Standings

9th round

November 17, 2023

England — Malta (9:45 PM)

Italy — North Macedonia (9:45 PM)