Ukraine advanced to their fourth consecutive Euro 2024 qualifying play-off final after coming back from Iceland to win 2-1, making it the fourth consecutive time they have advanced to the Euro 2024 main round.
In the first half, the Ukrainian team dominated the game, but could not effectively convert into goals. In the 15th minute, a Ukrainian player crossed the ball from the side of the field and Mikolenko took a shot from inside the box, but the ball went wide of the goal. In the 30th minute, Iceland's Gudmundsson helped Iceland take a 1-0 lead when he dribbled past a Ukrainian defender outside the box and fired a shot from distance. The Ukrainians then tried to equalize, and in the 37th minute, Sudakov dribbled past an opponent in the box and fired a shot on goal, but the ball was parried away by the Icelandic goalkeeper.
In the second half, the Ukrainians stepped up their attack and finally equalized in the 53rd minute with a low shot by Zygankov after cutting inside. This goal certainly gave the Ukrainian team confidence and they started to take the initiative on the field.
As the match entered the closing stages, Ukraine continued their onslaught. In the 84th minute, a Ukrainian player crossed the ball to Mudrik, who fired a shot from outside the box to help the Ukrainians go back up 2-1. The goal became the match's killer goal, and Ukraine successfully turned back Iceland to advance to the main round of the UEFA Europa League.
The President of Ukraine, Zelensky, congratulated the victory and emphasized that it proved once again the spirit of Ukrainians who do not give up and continue to fight in times of trouble. He said that in times when every day people try to destroy Ukraine, Ukrainians prove their existence and resilience every day.
