Ukraine back on track with 2-1 win over North Macedonia in Euro 2020

Ukraine 2-1 North Macedonia: Ukraine opened their account in the Euro 2020 with a 2-1 win against North Macedonia in Romania on Thursday.

Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk scored once again for the Men in Blue and Yellow as they picked up a crucial win.

FIRST HALF

North Macedonia made a fast-paced start to the match making Ukraine slightly nervous.

The Ukraine side composed themselves and slowly got into the game after a few nervy moments.

North Macedonia keeper, Dimitrievski was called into action within the first 10 minutes as he tipped Malinovsky’s shot around the post for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Yarmolenko could not test the Macedonia keeper as the chance faded away.

Pandev and Co were not willing to sit back and looked to work some possession.

Elmas came close at the other end for the visitors but his shot went wide of the goal.

It was an even battle with both sides taking the game to each other and the chance of breaking the deadlock was fast approaching.

Ukraine broke the deadlock in the 29^th minute after some good football as Yarmolenko scored to give his side the advantage.

Malinovski’s corner was helped on by Karavaev at the near post with a neat flick towards the captain; who poked home from close range for 1-0.

The Macedonia side completely switched off and did not spot Yarmolenko’s run; who did not disappoint.

Yaremchuk doubled Ukraine’s lead and make it 2-0 in the 34^th minute.

The Ukraine captain’s first-time pass was latched onto by the Gent forward as he confidently hit a right-footed finish past Dimitrievski to give his side breathing space.

At the other end, MKD were not bogged down by the goals conceded and looked to continue their attack.

Pandev thought he scored in the 39^th minute but was offside in the build-up to the goal.

Dimitrievski once again made an important intervention to keep out Karavaev’s effort.

We reached half time with Ukraine leading 2-0 in Bucharest.

SECOND HALF

The visitors looked to get back into the contest in the second half and tested Buschan early.

The Ukraine number 1 got down to deny Ademi’s strike on goal.

At the other end, Dimitrievski came to MKD’s rescue once again as he denied Malinovsky with a vital save.

It was an end-to-end game so far in the second half.

North Macedonia got a life-line in the 56^th minute as they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Karavaev on Pandev in the box.

Alioski’s initial shot was saved by the Ukraine keeper but scored on the rebound to make it 2-1.

Malinovsky had the chance to send his side three goals up but his shot was saved smartly by Dimitrievski.

From a free-kick, Ukraine was awarded a penalty as Avramovski seemed to have handled the ball.

Malinovsky took the penalty and missed as Dimitrievski guessed the right away to keep his side in the contest.

The visitors pushed for an equalizer as we entered extra-time.

Trajkovski nearly MKD back into the contest with his strike but it went agonizingly wide of the goal as North Macedonia’s hearts broke.

Ukraine won the match 2-1 and opened their account in the UEFA Euro 2020 with this win.

On the other hand, North Macedonia lost their 2^nd game in the group and are in all certainty out of the competition.

Also read: Lainer and Gregoritsch score as Austria beat North Macedonia 3-1 in Euro 2020; check out