Euro-2021: Ukraine suffers but revives against North Macedonia

Published on : 06/17/2021 – 4:51 PM

Ukraine suffered but recovered in Group C. In Bucharest, Andrei Shevchenko’s men won 2-1 against North Macedonia. The Red Lions, however, mistreated their opponents in the second half but the Yellow and Blues turned their backs to resist.

In the National Arena in Bucharest, two nations in search of revenge presented themselves: attractive against the Netherlands, the Ukrainians had indeed let the victory slip away in the last moments (3-2) while the Macedonian Petit Thumb had failed to win against Austria (3-1).

Dimitrievski resists then cracks

In line with the qualities shown against the Oranjes, the Ukrainians take the match on their own. At the start of the match, Malinovskyi sent a curled center towards the Macedonian penalty spot but fell on a Dimitrievski who punches the ball with both fists (4th). A few minutes later, Karavaev plays two with a teammate and spills out onto the right lane. Arrived along the corner line, he centers back but none of his teammates followed (15th).

The Macedonians impose a physical challenge on their opponents but struggle to be really dangerous. They only stay in the match thanks to the exploits of their goalkeeper Dimitrievski. However, even the latter ends up cracking. On a badly taken corner from Zinchenko, Karavaiev deflects and Yarmolenko throws himself in to conclude. The Macedonian goalkeeper can only touch the ball (1-0, 29th).

Ukraine made the break in stride. Zinchenko, Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk play in a triangle. The latter is launched into the depths and finds himself alone. He adjusts Dimitrievski with a flat surgical right foot (2-0, 34 ‘).

The Red Lions seem then affected. The emblematic captain Goran Pandev tries well to sound the revolt by carrying out a technical festival which he concludes with a small lob on Buschnan. The ball ends up in the back of the net but the referee whistles offside (39th).

A second Macedonian period

On returning from the locker room, the Macedonians fail to pick their opponents cold. Pandev controls, turns and serves Ademi to the limit of offside. The latter adjusts a shot at close range but falls on an imperial Georgi Bushchan (48th). Ukraine immediately replied with a free kick. Malinovskyi tries his luck and forces Dimitrievski to tap.

Macedonians insist. Ademi sends a strike in the Ukrainian skylight that Bushchan diverts in extremis on its amount. Goran Pandev wants to follow but is mown irregularly by Karavaiev. The referee indicates the penalty spot. Alioski takes care of the penalty, hits it on the right but sees the Ukrainian goalkeeper intervene. However, the ball returns to his feet. This time, he concludes (2-1, 56th).

A reduction in the score that seems to cut the legs of the Ukrainians. The Yellows and Blues no longer manage to go on the offensive to retake the sea. Unlike Macedonia which pushes to equalize. Aleksandar Trajkovski tries his luck on the left. His powerful and vicious strike bounces right in front of Bushchan. The Ukrainian doorman can only turn for a corner (68th).

However, as Macedonia saw a highlight, VAR signaled a hand from the Macedonian wall on a Malinovskyi free kick. The Atalanta player takes the penalty and shoots Dimitrievski’s right, who makes a superb save. The Macedonians follow well and keep the danger away (84th). The last minutes may well be dominated by the Red Lions, like this half-time, the score remains there despite a last strike from Pandev in stoppage time.

Ukraine is therefore taking a big step towards the round of 16. For Macedonia, it will be more complicated even if with the four best third qualifiers, nothing is completely lost.