The Ukrainian U-19 national team defeated their Italian peers at the end of the group stage of the European Championship.
U-19 European Championship, Group A, 3rd round
Ukraine – Italy – 3:2
Goals: Synchuk, 7, Krevsun, 54, Ponomarenko, 75 (penalty) – Ebone, 34, Romano, 52
Red card: Corradi, 73 (Italy, second yellow card)
In the opening minutes, the Italian attacks looked sharper. Early on, Sia and Ebone missed the goal from promising positions, and later, Ebone hit the goalkeeper from inside the penalty area. However, the Ukrainian team capitalized on their first opportunity – Synchuk expertly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper after a pass from Husyev and a mistake by the defender.
The key moment came in the 73rd minute. Matkevych, on the left in the penalty area, pushed the ball past Corradi, forcing him to foul – penalty and a second yellow card for the Italian. Ponomarenko stepped up to the spot and confidently converted the penalty, putting Ukraine U-19 ahead!
The final minutes passed in a back-and-forth manner, but the score remained unchanged. The victory allowed Mykhaylenko's team to follow Italy into the tournament semifinals. The opponent of the "blue-and-yellows" will be determined on Monday, and advancing from the group stage guaranteed a trip to the U-20 World Cup in 2025.
