Ukraine Qualifies for Euro 2024, Defeating Iceland 2-1
Ukraine defeated Iceland 2-1 in the final play-off qualifier and qualified for the European Championships for the fourth time in a row. After Euro 2012, Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, Ukraine will host Euro 2024.
The blue and yellows started the match actively, but over time, the Icelanders coped with the onslaught. In the 30th minute, the islanders opened the scoring quite unexpectedly - Albert Gudmundsson turned around near the halfway line and scored in the right corner.
The Ukrainians started the second half strongly and equalised in the 54th minute.
In the 84th minute, the Ukrainian team scored - Sudakov passed to the penalty line, from where Mudryk, unmarked, scored the winning goal in the left corner. As it turned out, it was this goal that brought the blue and yellows to the European Championships.
The match took place the night before at the Tarczynski Stadium in the Polish city of Wroclaw, as the Russian war is still ongoing in Ukraine. Every day, the Russian occupation army launches missile attacks across Ukraine.
"This is a very important victory for the entire Ukrainian people, for our soldiers. I am very happy for the players, because these two games were very difficult and nervous. Both before and after the matches, we said that these victories are for our country, people, and defenders who are defending our freedom. Everyone understands how important this victory is," said Serhii Rebrov, head coach of the national team of Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the national team of Ukraine on its great success - reaching the European Championship:
"Thank you, guys! Thank you, team! For the most important emotions for the whole country. For a crucial victory and access to the Euros. For proving once again that when it is difficult for Ukrainians, but they do not give up and continue to fight, then Ukrainians will certainly win," the President stressed.
After the final match of the Euro 2024 play-offs between Ukraine and Iceland (2:1), Iceland's head coach Oge Gareide shared his impressions of the game.
"We put pressure, but it was not to be. Perhaps the greater depth of the opponent's squad decided everything. But this is normal when it comes to such a great nation as the Ukrainians," said Gareide.
"Reaching the Euros will help the world not to forget about Ukraine," said midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko on the eve of the match.
In total, three decisive Euro 2024 play-off matches took place the day before, after which the full squad of participants in the final tournament was determined.
Results of the draw for the final tournament of Euro 2024
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland.
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania.
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England.
Group D: Poland, the Netherlands, Austria, France.
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine.
Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic.
The European Championship will last from 14 June to 14 July 2024. The matches will be hosted by Berlin, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart.