This could have been called ‘yellow and blue derby’. Two countries that share same colours, one from the far north of Europe and the others from the far East – met in the last match of the EURO 2020 eight-finals. In a fantastic match up Ukraine managed to defeat Sweden and qualifies to the next round. Final score 2-1 after extra time.In what was Sweden’s first knockout round appearance at the Euros since 2004, we saw a leveled battle of two teams that do not attract much attention on paper. However, there were numerous chances on both ends but Ukraine were more clinical and came out victorious at Hampden Park in Glasgow.Late drama!🇺🇦 What a moment for Ukraine as Dovbyk wins it in extra time ⚽️#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/J7tAv8Mbc9— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 29, 2021 Ukraine had the first big chance to score and it happened in the 11th minute – Andriy Yarmolenko took a shot from the penalty area towards the left post but Robin Olsen was alert and denied Yarmolenko confidently.Scandinavians hit back in the 18th and the 19th minute with Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak both sending the ball wide from either posts.Ten minutes later – Ukraine had the lead. Beautiful outer-foot lofted pass from Andriy Yarmolenko found Man City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko – he ripped in a wonderful shot which ended up inside the right post.
Zinchenko is the fifth different Man City player to score at EURO 2020 with De Bruyne, Sterling, Laporte and Torres. Only Atalanta (also five) have had as many different players score at the tournament.Few minutes later Sweden tried to catch the Ukrainians off guard as Sebastian Larsson took a free kick – he cunningly sent the ball towards the bottom right corner but Georgi Bushchan dove and made a last second save.The equalizer came just before the halftime whistle – Isak passed the ball to Forsberg and he fired in a shot from the edge of the box which was deflected just to trick Bushchan.
Forsberg is the first Swedish player to score in three consecutive major tournament appearances since Kennet Andersson at the 1994 World Cup, who is also the only Swedish player to net more at a single major tournament than Forsberg’s 4 at EURO 2020 (5 in 1994).Second half continued with high quality football and high tempo. Both team hit the woodwork in a matter of two minutes – 55th, it was Sergiy Sydorchuk who tried his luck from the edge of the box with a measured shot, but it hit the right post and was cleared to safety.
Swedes followed with their massive opportunity – 56th minute, Forsberg again – he picked up a precise pass on the edge of the box and immediately took a shot on goal. His effort, however, only rattled the right post.
In the 66th minute, Bushchan made a brilliant save after Dejan Kulusevski met a rebound outside the box and attempted to beat the keeper into the top of the net.Ukraine were lucky again in the 69th minute as unlucky Forsberg hit the woodwork again – this time it was the crossbar that stopped him from scoring his second goal.
The pace of the game took it’s tole on the players of both teams and after countless chances, both sides took the foot of the gas with not one shot towards goal in the last 20 minutes.Extra time continued in such fashion as teams did not want to risk conceding and both managers pretty much waited for the penalty shootout.Sweden took quite a hit in the 100th minute when Marcus Danielson tackled Artem Besedin too severely and earned a direct red card.And then in the last minute of the second extra time period – shock for Sweden. Substitute Artem Dovbyk caught a great cross sent by ZInchenko to propel the Ukrainians through to the quarter finals.
One of the best games of this tournament, no doubt. Ukraine will face England in the next round as the Three Lions eliminated Germany in London.EURO 2020Eight-finalsSweden – Ukraine 1-2 (AET) (1-1)/Forsberg 43′ – Zinchenko 27′, Dovbyk 120+1’/