In September, under coach Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine suffered losses to Albania (1:2) and Czechia (2:3) before bouncing back in October with a win over Georgia (1:0) and a draw with the Czechia (1:1). Now, the team faced Georgia again, this time away in Batumi. Notably, during the camp, Tymchyk left the squad, and Vanat was also unavailable due to injury.

Photo by Dan Balashov

Georgia started aggressively. In the first minute, Zivzivadze’s last-minute shot was blocked by Mykolenko, and Kvaratskhelia tested Trubin from distance. However, in the 7th minute, Ukraine took the lead in a counterattack. Mudryk stormed down the right wing and crossed the ball, which Kverkvelia inadvertently sent into his net.

Georgia pushed for an equalizer but found it difficult to break down Ukraine's defense. In the 36th minute, Mudryk weaved through several defenders, but Mamardashvili saved. Before the break, Zubkov's shot went over the bar.

Photo by Dan Balashov

The second half saw Georgia press more. The first real threat came in the 62nd minute when Kvaratskhelia hit the crossbar from outside the box. Immediately after, Mudryk set up Dovbyk for a shot, but it went over. Kvaratskhelia then found Mikautadze in the box, but his shot missed the far post.

Finally, in the 76th minute, Georgia leveled. Trubin saved Kachorashvili's header, but Mikautadze followed up to score. Georgia continued to press, and in stoppage time, Mamardashvili made crucial saves from Hutsulyak and Nazarenko. The match ended in a 1:1 draw.

Photo by Dan Balashov

Ukraine’s final group match will be against Albania in Tirana on November 19.

UEFA Nations League 2024/2025. Group B1

Matchday 5

Georgia - Ukraine - 1:1

Goals: Mikautadze (76) – Kverkvelia (7, own goal).

Georgia: Mamardashvili, Kakabadze, Kverkvelia (Gocholeishvili, 67), Kashia (c), Lochoshvili, Shengelia (Tsitaishvili, 67), Chakvetadze (Davidashvili, 46), Kochorashvili, Kiteiashvili (Mekvabishvili, 86), Kvaratskhelia, Zivzivadze (Mikautadze, 67).

Ukraine: Trubin, Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko (c), Mykolenko, Brazhko (Kalyuzhnyi, 80), Zubkov (Hutsulyak, 64), Sudakov (Nazarenko, 86), Shaparenko (Kryskiv, 64), Mudryk, Dovbyk (Yaremchuk, 80).

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (England).

Booked: Lochoshvili (31), Gocholeishvili (70) - Zubkov (3), Shaparenko (52), Mykolenko (83), Mudryk (84)

November 16. Batumi. AdjaraBet Arena.

Albania - Czechia - 0:0

Standings

Matchday 6

November 19, 2024

Czechia vs. Georgia (21:45)

Albania vs. Ukraine (21:45)