Today, the Ukrainian youth team (U-21) played their second qualifying match for Euro-2027 (U-21) against Hungary. The nominally home match for Unai Melgosa’s team took place in the Slovenian city of Murska Sobota at the Fazanerija Stadium.
UKRAINE (U-21) — HUNGARY (U-21) — 3:3 (1:1)
Goals: Stepanov (8), Matkevych (75), Krupskyi (85) — Tuboli (37 pen.), Molnar (60), Fenyo (80).
Ukraine (U-21): Domchak, Mykhavko, Korniichuk, Zakharchenko, Krupskyi, Salko, Varfolomyev (Popov, 81), Losenko (Hlushchenko, 63), Tutiurov (Matkevych, 46), Stepanov, Slesar (Husol, 88).
Hungary (U-21): Peci, Yakobishvili, Markgraf, Fenyo, Farkas, Siuch, Molnar (Vingler, 86), Tuboli, Horvat (Banati, 63), Vancha (Vajda, 74), Denes (Jurek, 46).
The 'blue and yellow' started this match very successfully. In the 8th minute, Ivan Losenko made a wonderful vertical pass nearly across half the field, and Artem Stepanov lobbed the ball over the Hungarian goalkeeper — 1:0.
The Ukrainians continued to dominate, but a single mistake led to a goal against them. Nazar Dumchak fouled Chanadi Denes in his own penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Mate Tuboli’s shot was accurate — 1:1.
The counterattack tactic brought another success to our opponents in the second half. In the 60th minute, Adin Molnar burst down the right flank into our penalty area and shot powerfully into the near corner past both Taras Mykhavko and Nazar Dumchak.
However, in the 75th minute, Andrii Matkevych outsmarted the Hungarian defenders, emerged from behind their backs, and sent the ball into the empty net, equalizing the score. Yet, five minutes later, the Hungarian team took the lead again. After a set piece, the ball bounced to Noa Fenyo, who scored past our goalkeeper for the third time. Another five minutes later, our captain Illya Krupskyi with a superb shot into the top corner restored parity once more. So, 3:3 — a hard-fought draw.
The 'blue and yellow' will play their next Euro-2027 (U-21) qualifier on October 14 against the Croatian team.
Euro-2027 (U-21). Qualifying tournament. Group H:
1. Ukraine — 4 points (2 matches)
2. Hungary — 2 (2)
3. Croatia — 1 (1)
4. Turkey — 1 (1)
5. Lithuania — 1 (2).