Euro 2024: Ukraine Complete Dramatic Turnaround, Yaremchuk Scores Winner Against Slovakia

Ukraine Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat, Thanks to Yaremchuk's Heroics

Ukraine secures crucial win over Slovakia in Euro 2024 qualifier, thanks to Roman Yaremchuk's decisive goal. Comeback victory keeps Ukraine's qualification hopes alive, with Yaremchuk becoming only the second Ukrainian substitute to score in a major tournament.

Ukraine secured a vital victory over Slovakia, thanks to Roman Yaremchuk's decisive goal, which keeps their Euro 2024 qualification hopes alive. The Valencia attacker made an instant impact, scoring just 13 minutes after coming on, expertly finishing a through ball from Mykola Shaparenko.

Slovakia took the lead through Ivan Schranz's double, but Ukraine fought back to complete a stunning comeback. Shaparenko equalized in the 54th minute, slotting home from close range after Oleksandr Zinchenko's cross. Yaremchuk then sealed the win with a clinical finish ten minutes from time.

This victory marks Ukraine's first comeback win in the Euros since 2012, when they defeated Sweden 2-1. The win draws Ukraine level with Slovakia and Romania, who face Belgium in their next group-stage match. Ukraine's coach, Serhii Rebrov, will be relieved after his team struggled in the first half, but improved significantly after the break.

Goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin, who replaced Andriy Lunin, made two crucial saves in the first half, justifying Real Madrid's decision to bench Lunin. Trubin denied Lukas Haraslin and Ivan Schranz with impressive stops, and later palmed away David Hancko's free kick. However, Slovakia took the lead through Schranz's double, with Ukraine's Mykhailo Mudryk wasting a chance when through on goal.

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Mudryk improved as the game progressed, finding Artem Dovbyk, who showed clever movement to block Peter Pekarik's shot. Ukraine's persistence paid off in the second half, with Shaparenko's equalizer followed by Yaremchuk's winner. Yaremchuk became only the second Ukrainian substitute to score in a major tournament, and was overcome with emotion at full-time as the Ukrainian players thanked their fans for a much-needed win.

Ukraine Mykola Shaparenko won man of the match.