Ukraine and Italy emerged scoreless drawsin a game that had a lot of tension, suspense and the… prize of second place in the third qualifying group going to Luciano Spalletti’s team, which will be in the final phase of Euro 2024.
The first half ended without a score, with the result however not consistent with the image of the two teams on the playing field of the “Bay Arena”.
As usual the home team got in better, creating the conditions for them to open the scoring, with Chigankov and Sudakov falling on Donnarumma, in the 5′ and 14′ respectively.
However, from the half-time onwards the “squadra atzura” picked up the pace and dominated. But Trubin saved Barela’s shot in the 16th minute, Di Lorenzo’s header in the 28th minute was off target, while Fratezzi missed a four-four with Trubin in the very next minute!
In the replay, the pace dropped with both teams now more cautious, looking for the… coveted goal through some fast-paced attacking.
Italy threatened first with Chiesa’s effort in the 58th minute going wide, only for Ukraine to respond seven minutes later. When Mundrick fired in from a spot on the inside left, forcing Donnarumma into a spectacular tackle…
Jorginho blocked Chigankov’s shot from the right side of the box, helping Donnarumma to block in the 65th minute, to be followed by changes on both sides and the game being “turned off”.
Even so, emotions were high until the end, after in the third minute of stoppage time Ukraine protested – rightly – about Atzerbi’s penalty on Mudrik. Referee Manthano wasn’t… moved, VAR didn’t intervene, though, with 0-0 staying that way until the end!
In today’s other – and indifferent in terms of points – match of the group, North Macedonia and England came tied with 1-1.
The “Three Lions” had a crossbar in the 14th minute, through an effort from Rice, while they saw Lewis take a penalty that was awarded with the use of VAR to Miovski, in the 38th minute. Bardy took over his execution, Pickford got right down the left and saved but, as the phase progressed, the captain of the home team took the… rebound and with a strong shot made it 1-0 in the 41st minute!
England came on strong in the second half, scoring through Grealish in just the 47th minute, but the Manchester City ace’s goal was ruled out for offside by VAR. Kane entered the match in the 58th minute and in the very next phase he participated in the phase that marked 1-1, through Atanasov’s own goal…
Summary of today’s results:
Ukraine-Italy 0-0
North Macedonia-England 1-1
(41′ Bardy – 59′ auto. Atanasov)
The final score:
Source: Sport Fm
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