Ukraine revived their Euro 2024 hopes as substitute Roman Yaremchuk's late goal saw them hit back after falling a goal behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 in a lively Group E clash on Friday. Trailing at halftime to an early goal scored by Ivan Schranz, Ukraine's hopes were hanging by a thread but they produced a storming comeback in front of their joyous fans. Slovakia, who shocked Belgium in their opening match, would have ensured a last-16 spot with a win but after a dream start they paid the price for sitting back.
Mykola Shaparenko equalised in the 54th minute with a close-range finish before they snatched a vital win as Yaremchuk controlled a lofted pass by Shaparenko to prod past Slovakia's goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Victory lifted Ukraine level on three points with Slovakia and Romania, who face Belgium on Saturday. Just as they did at Euro 2020, Slovakia had won their opening match in impressive fashion by stunning Belgium.
Three years ago, however, they still ended up crashing out at the group stage. They began against Ukraine clearly determined to avoid a repeat and dominated the opening exchanges on a Duesseldorf pitch greased up pre-match rain. Ukraine keeper Anatoliy Trubin, one of five changes to the Ukraine team beaten 3-0 by Romania, kept his side level with saves in quick succession to keep out a Lukas Haraslin shot and Schranz's close-range effort.
Slovakia were rewarded or their positive start in the 17th minute though when Haraslin's measured lobbed cross was he.
