Victory of the national team
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
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The Ukraine national team faced Albania on the final matchday of the Nations League group stage
The starting line-up of the Blue-and-Yellows for the decisive game included three Shakhtar representatives: captain Mykola Matviienko in the left centre-back position, right lateral Yukhym Konoplia and midfielder Heorhii Sudakov.
The Ukrainians started the match in Tirana extremely powerfully and scored two goals already in the opening stages. In the 5th minute, the Albanians blocked Yaremchuk’s shot, but Zinchenko was the first to pursue rebounds and opened the scoring – 0-1. And the Miners arranged the second goal for their teammate: Sudakov made a cross to the right post, Konoplia headed the ball to Yaremchuk, who only had to not miss from an advantageous position – 0-2. In the middle of the half, Sudakov could have secured a crushing victory, but his long-range shot was saved by the goalkeeper, and Konoplia’s follow-up missed the target. The Albanians created perhaps their only moment a minute before the break, when Muci shot in centimetres from the post from outside the penalty area.
The host team started the second half more actively, however, without any particular intensity near Trubin’s goal. And the Ukrainians created two good chances thanks to Sudakov’s efforts: first, his attempt from the edge of the penalty area was saved by the goalkeeper, and in a few minutes, Heorhii shot next to the top corner after a cool dribble. However, the pressure of the Albanians gradually increased, and in the 75th minute, they earned a spot-kick which Bajrami converted, minimising the difference in the score. But Serhii Rebrov’s team skillfully resisted the opponent’s final attack and were even closer to the goal – the goalkeeper of the host team saved dangerous shots by Sudakov and Nazarenko.
2-1 – the Blue-and-Yellows claimed a crucial victory over Albania.
Therefore, the Ukraine national team finish second in their group of Division B with 8 points and now will play the play-off matches for the right to compete in the strongest Division A in the next season of the UEFA Nations League.
The Ukrainians started the match in Tirana extremely powerfully and scored two goals already in the opening stages. In the 5th minute, the Albanians blocked Yaremchuk’s shot, but Zinchenko was the first to pursue rebounds and opened the scoring – 0-1. And the Miners arranged the second goal for their teammate: Sudakov made a cross to the right post, Konoplia headed the ball to Yaremchuk, who only had to not miss from an advantageous position – 0-2. In the middle of the half, Sudakov could have secured a crushing victory, but his long-range shot was saved by the goalkeeper, and Konoplia’s follow-up missed the target. The Albanians created perhaps their only moment a minute before the break, when Muci shot in centimetres from the post from outside the penalty area.
The host team started the second half more actively, however, without any particular intensity near Trubin’s goal. And the Ukrainians created two good chances thanks to Sudakov’s efforts: first, his attempt from the edge of the penalty area was saved by the goalkeeper, and in a few minutes, Heorhii shot next to the top corner after a cool dribble. However, the pressure of the Albanians gradually increased, and in the 75th minute, they earned a spot-kick which Bajrami converted, minimising the difference in the score. But Serhii Rebrov’s team skillfully resisted the opponent’s final attack and were even closer to the goal – the goalkeeper of the host team saved dangerous shots by Sudakov and Nazarenko.
2-1 – the Blue-and-Yellows claimed a crucial victory over Albania.
Therefore, the Ukraine national team finish second in their group of Division B with 8 points and now will play the play-off matches for the right to compete in the strongest Division A in the next season of the UEFA Nations League.