Footy Times

Last-gasp Dovbyk winner sends Ukraine to Euro quarter-finals

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Ukraine sealed a Euro quarter-finals for the first time after a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Sweden in extra time at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.

Artem Dovbyk’s dramatic late winner handed his side victory in Glasgow after Emil Forsberg’s first-half strike had cancelled out Oleksandr Zinhcenko’s early opener.

After weathering Sweden’s bright start to the contest, Ukraine grew into the game with confidence before taking the lead after 27 minutes.

Andriy Yarmolenko’s deep cross from the right found its way to Zinchenko at the back post, with the Manchester City man firing an unstoppable half-volley past Robin Olsen.

Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates his 7th goal for Ukraine

However, the scores were soon level after Forsberg’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection to deceive Georgiy Buschan in the Ukraine net, with the sides heading into the interval on even terms.

Whilst both Sweden and Ukraine came within the width of the woodwork from taking the lead in the second half, courtesy of Serhiy Sryorchuck and Forsberg respectively, there was ultimately nothing to separate them as the match headed into extra time.

The match swung in Ukraine’s favour eight minutes into extra time, as Marcus Danielson was shown a straight red card after his follow-through caught Artem Besyedin.

Ukraine made their dominance count in second-half stoppage time, as Zinchenko’s beautifully weighted cross was headed home by Dovybk to secure a memorable victory and send his side through to face England in Rome on Saturday, July 3.

Emil Forsberg = 1st Swedish player to score 4 goals at a single EURO final tournament

Reaction

Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine coach: “Both teams played very well. It was an interesting match. Neither side wanted to lose so we got this drama at the end. With this performance and commitment, our team has deserved the love of the whole country. We knew how our team should play from the first minutes. We knew who could strengthen us [during the game]. The plan we had developed worked well.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine defender: “It’s a historic achievement. My advice to everyone: let’s celebrate, we live only once and we may never repeat these moments again. I’m very proud that we showed our country and the whole of Europe that we can achieve our goals.”

 

 

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