The Ukrainian team defeated a feisty North Macedonia (2-1) this Thursday in Bucharest to add their first three points and get fully into the fight in group C for the pass to the second round of the European Championship.
Under the Bucharest sun and with the warmth of their fans, who despite being a minority made more noise than the rival, North Macedonia jumped onto the pitch wanting to fight for possession of the ball and surprise the Ukrainian defenders.
The game, however, followed the script planned in its first half, with Andréi Shevchenko’s team controlling the ball and reaching the North Macedonia area with some ease, which was overwhelmed at all times.
Unlike in their duel against Austria, North Macedonia was less robust defensively and the Ukrainian runs down the wings were a constant, with Yaremchuk and Yarmolenko very active winning the backs on their markers.
The first goal of the game came from the feet of the latter and, after Dimitrievski saved a one-on-one, the Ukrainian striker redeemed himself in the subsequent corner kick, finishing almost at will from the small area in a poorly defended play.
With North Macedonia knocked out and giving no room to react, Yaremchuk made it 2-0 on the scoreboard just 5 minutes later after receiving a great pass from Yarmolenko that left him alone against the goalkeeper, whom he beat with a low shot at the first stick.
Angelovski’s men tried to take advantage of the euphoria of their rivals to surprise with a great internship by the veteran Pandev, who, despite crashing the first ball he touched into the back of the net, saw his goal disallowed for offside.
After a necessary rest, Macedonia, who until then had been apathetic and without ideas, did not lower his arms and returned to the field with his batteries charged.
Ademi, first, and Trajkovski, two minutes later, came close to scoring, but both times ran into an imperial Bushchan under the goal.
The rebound of this second shot fell at the feet of Pandev, who was rammed by Karavaev inside the area, causing the Argentine Rapallini, the first CONMEBOL referee to officiate a Eurocup match, to signal the maximum penalty.
Despite missing his shot from 11 metres, the rebound ended at the feet of Ezgjan Alioski, who made it 2-1 on the scoreboard in the 57th minute of the match.
With the goal, the dynamic of the match changed completely, with Ukraine waiting patiently in defense, as they did against the Netherlands, and North Macedonia controlling possession.
Even so, the level difference was still palpable and Ukraine proved to be able to reach the area with very few passes, such as in a good combination from the left wing that Tsygankov sent far from the rival goal.
10 minutes before the final whistle, the referee, after VAR supervision, again awarded a penalty, in this case in favor of Ukraine due to a handball by Avramovski.
Everything looked up for Shevchenko’s men, but Dimitrievski stopped the shot with authority and gave his team hope for the final minutes.
North Macedonia, pushed by their fans, tried until the last moment, but fatigue played against them and they did not have any other chance to tie the game and stay alive on the last day of competition. EFE. (JL).