The Ukrainian Olympic team lost to Argentina in the final round of the group stage of the football tournament.
Olympics 2024, Group B, 3rd Round
Ukraine – Argentina – 0:2
Goals: Almada, 47; Echeverri, 90+1
The Albiceleste took control from the start. The first real chance for the Argentinians came in the 11th minute when Alvarez shot over the bar. However, gradually, Ruslan Rotan's team managed to push the action away from their goal.
A new burst of activity came towards the end of the first half. First, Alvarez missed the target after a cross, and then Fesyun saved a shot from Gondo. In response, Kryskiv’s shot was blocked by the Argentine defense, and Rubchinsky’s long-range effort was saved by Rulli.
At the start of the second half, Javier Mascherano's team took the lead. Almada created the goal entirely on his own. The midfielder received the ball in the center of the field, moved closer to the penalty area, and expertly shot into the top corner of the net.
The Ukrainian Olympians only regained their composure after a series of substitutions. In the 68th minute, Kryskiv attempted a long-range shot, but it didn’t trouble the goalkeeper. Instead, a promising cross from Fedor in the penalty area was wasted by Krasnopir and Kryskiv.
The Ukrainians were unable to organize a final push. However, the Albiceleste seized the opportunity to double their lead at the start of extra time. Fesyun parried a shot from outside the penalty area, and Echeverri scored on the rebound – 0:2 in the end.
Thus, the Ukrainian Olympic team earned 3 points in the group stage of the Olympic football tournament and finished their campaign. Rotan's team finished third in Group B. Argentina and Morocco both earned 6 points and advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition.
