Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine: Super-sub Yaremchuk throws Euro 2024 Group E wide open

Ukraine defeated Slovakia 2-1 thanks to Roman Yaremchuk’s excellent finish to throw Euro 2024 Group E wide open.

Having been beaten 3-0 by Romania in their opening match, Ukraine looked on course for another loss when Ivan Schranz – Slovakia’s matchwinner against Belgium – opened the scoring in Dusseldorf.

Yet a much-improved second-half display saw Serhii Rebrov’s team turn the match on its head, with substitute Yaremchuk capping a fine comeback.

Mykola Shaparenko drilled in from Oleksandr Zinchenko’s centre in the 54th minute to restore parity, and subsequently turned provider for Yaremchuk’s winner 10 minutes from time.

The striker brilliantly took down Shaparenko’s searching pass over the top, taking it under his spell before slotting under Martin Dubravka, who should have done better.

Ukraine are now level with Slovakia and Romania on three points, meaning Group E favourites Belgium are, as it stands, bottom of the pool. They play Romania on Saturday.

4 – Ukraine’s win against Slovakia was the fourth instance of a team coming from behind to win a match at Euro 2024, already the same number of comeback victories as in the whole of Euro 2020. Comeback. #SVKUKR #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/uG56Qny6zS

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) June 21, 2024

Data Debrief: The kids are alright

With an average age of 25 years and 259 days, Ukraine’s starting XI was the youngest named by a side at Euro 2024 so far – and the first, in fact, with an average age below 26 years.

Yaremchuk, meanwhile, became just the second Ukrainian substitute to score at a major tournament, alongside Artem Dovbyk vs Sweden at Euro 2020. That was also his third goal at a major tournament, with only Andriy Shevchenko netting more for Ukraine (four).