2:3 Sensational Comeback by Ukraine in North Macedonia
![2:3 Sensational Comeback by Ukraine in North Macedonia Photo: UEFA.com](https://media.thegaze.media/thegaze-october-prod/media/17-06-23/N-Macedonia-Ukraine.jpg)
In the second round match of the qualifying tournament for Euro 2014, the Ukrainian national team played away in North Macedonia. As The Gaze reported Ukrainian footballers were considered favorites for the game, but things didn't quite go according to plan.
This is reported by Uefa.com.
Both national teams played a match in the group stage back in March. The Macedonians defeated Malta (2:1), while the "blue and yellow" suffered a loss to England (0:2) under the guidance of interim head coach Ruslan Rotan. Since then, the Ukrainian national team has already acquired a permanent coach in the form of Serhiy Rebrov, with whom they had a friendly match against Germany (3:3).
For his first official match in charge of the national team, Rebrov fielded the same lineup that started against Die Mannschaft. The "blue and yellow" quickly took the lead from the opening minutes. Mykolenko took a shot from twenty meters out, but the ball flew over the goal. However, the hosts quickly disrupted our team's play, trying to keep possession.
The Ukrainian national team had perhaps the best opportunity to open the scoring, launching a counter-attack with a 3-on-4 advantage - Tsygankov on the edge of the penalty area failed to find Yarmolenko with his pass. In the absence of clear-cut chances, the Macedonians earned a penalty. Matviyenko handled the ball in his own penalty area while battling an opponent. Bardhi converted the penalty kick.
Shortly thereafter, Elmas doubled the hosts' advantage with an incredible goal from the edge of the penalty area. The Ukrainians failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.
After the break, Rebrov brought Vanata and Konoplya on the field, replacing Tymchyk and Dovbyk. The Ukrainians launched a sensational comeback. Zabarnyi, after a corner kick by Tsygankov, reduced the deficit. Within a few minutes, Mudryk initiated an attack from the left flank and crossed the ball to the fresh-legged Konoplya, who made it 2-2.
Vanata earned a free-kick and a second yellow card for Musliu - North Macedonia was reduced to ten men. Then, Tsygankov wasted a great opportunity, missing from close range to the goal, but he soon made amends. Mykhailo Mudryk found Viktor with a cross from the flank, and he scored with a header to make it 2-3!