Ukraine's Futsal Team Wins Historic Bronze at 2024 World Cup

The Ukrainian national team defeated France 7-1 in the match for third place at the 2024 World Cup in Uzbekistan.

This is reported by Suspilne Sport.

At this year's World Cup, Ukraine played for medals for the second time in history.

Ukraine's rival in the bronze medal final was the French national team, which is playing at the World Cup for the first time in history. Until now, the team has never participated in major international forums, including the European Championships.

Ukraine opened the scoring in the tenth minute: the players made a successful interception, with Ihor Korsun passing to Ihor Chernyavsky, who finished the ball.

At the beginning of the second half, the 'blue and yellows' were able to increase their lead to two goals. Daniil Abakshin passed the ball to Semenchenko, who passed it to Mikhail Zvarych.

However, a minute later, the French were able to pull a goal back: Sukhov came out of the gate to intercept the ball, but Guirio assisted Saadawi, who sent the ball into the empty net.

In the 27th minute, Yevhen Zhuk received a pass from Nazar Shved and scored between several Frenchmen at the far post. And less than a minute later, the footballer made a double: Melnyk shot on goal, the goalkeeper pulled the ball but failed to fix it, and Zhuk played the finish.

12 minutes before the end of the match, France brought on a fifth field player, which increased the pressure at the blue and yellow goal. However, a minute later, Ukraine was able to take advantage of the goalkeeper's absence: Sukhov passed the ball to Abakshin.

France continued to escalate the situation at the Ukrainian goal, with Sukhov making three saves in a row. In the 30th minute, Abakshin knocked the ball out of the penalty area, which eventually ended up in the French goal.

Three minutes later, Abakshin scored a hat-trick. Danyil scored the third goal in a similar scenario - he intercepted the ball after a French attack, beat Mukhudin and sent the ball into the net.

Ukraine won its first ever FIFA World Cup medals - bronze.

The national team defeated France for the first time in history. The Blue and Yellows have met the Blues once before in an official match - they drew 2-2 in the 2021 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ukraine won its first medal at the World Cup level in team sports since independence. Moreover, the Blue and Yellows have twice played in matches for third place: the men's futsal team at the 1996 FIFA World Cup and the women's handball team at the 2003 FIFA World Cup.