From despair to delirium
Tsygankov and Mudryk on target as Ukraine reach 2024 finals with win against Iceland
Wroclaw, Poland - Ukraine’s tears of despair turned to joy after qualification for the Euro 2024 soccer tournament was achieved with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Iceland in their playoff final played in a neutral but partisan Wroclaw Stadium in Poland on Tuesday.
Viktor Tsygankov and Mykhailo Mudryk scored second-half goals as it was mission accomplished in a campaign where Ukraine have been forced to play ‘home’ fixtures in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Poland following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of the country that sparked a war.
Albert Gudmundsson had put Iceland ahead in the first half but they surrendered possession and the initiative as they struggled to contain their opponents for much of the contest.
It is a fourth straight visit to the continental finals for Ukraine who take their place in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, who they open their campaign against on June 17.
“Thank you, boys! Thank you to the team! For proving once again that when Ukrainians face challenges but refuse to give up
and continue the fight, they inrang around the stadium, the Poland is home to a large variably win,” Ukraine president scenes of jubilation and yellow number of refugees from the Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a and blue flags waving not far rewar, many of whom will have message on Telegram. moved from what might be exbeen in the stadium to witness
Chants of “Ukraine, Ukraine” pected if the game was in Kyiv. one of their team’s greatest triArsenal’s David Raya stops a penalty in their Champions League last 16 match against Porto on Tuesday umphs given the circumstances.
It makes up for Ukraine missing out on the last World Cup after a playoff defeat by Wales and for the second game running they had to come from behind to secure victory after snatching a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Thursday’s semi-final.s 2024 unveils official stamps for the Olympics
“I think this is a very important victory for the entire Ukrainian people, for our soldiers,” coach Serhiy Rebrov told reporters.
“I am very happy for the players because these two (playoff) games were very difficult and nerve-wracking. Both before and after the matches, we said that these victories are for our country, people, defenders who defend our freedom.
“Everyone understands how important this victory is.”
Gudmundsson scored a sublime goal to give Iceland the lead on the half-hour mark as he picked up the ball just outside the box, beat two defenders to make the space and rifled a precise shot into the corner of the net.
The start of the second half was frenetic and Ukraine drew level with a fine equaliser.
Tsygankov was picked out on the right wing and cut inside, drifting into a central position before firing low into the bottom corner of the net with his left foot.