October 23, 2020

Ukraine stuns Spain 1-0

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Twitter/UEFA Euro 2020

Viktor Tsygankov celebrates with teammates in the lone goal for Ukraine against Spain on October 13 in Kyiv.

Ukraine pulled off a shocking upset by defeating Spain 1-0 in a home match at a raucous Olympic Stadium in Kyiv on October 13. Ukrainian fans totally savored a first-ever victory over the 2010 World Cup champions in the UEFA Nations League contest.

Andriy Shevchenko’s side took the lead against the run of play in the 76th minute when Viktor Tsygankov surprised Spain’s David de Gea by firing home a shot from outside the area after receiving an outstanding reverse pass from Andriy Yarmolenko. Tsygankov entered the match in the second half. It was Ukraine’s first goal against Spain in 17 years.

The goal was wildly celebrated by the entire Ukraine team and the 15,000 fans spaced out across the entire stadium, the hosts taking advantage of UEFA regulations permitting spectators back at certain matches in an easing of coronavirus restrictions. Ukraine had lost its last three outings, including a 4-0 reverse to Spain in Septem­ber and a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of France in a friendly one week prior, after losing six players due to COVID-19 positive tests.

“I don’t see myself as a hero. All our team are heroes,” said match-winner Tsygankov in a post-game press conference.

The result shook up League A/Group 4, giving Ukraine an outside chance of finishing atop the group with two matches left on the schedule. Spain leads with seven points, followed by Germany and Ukraine, each with six points, ahead of Switzerland with two points.

“I don’t even need to say anything because my players have said everything with their attitude and commitment,” Shevchenko told reporters following the match. “It’s their victory, they were simply great. The guys have learned their lesson after the France game, they accepted the changes we suggested and fulfilled our plan. It was hard to compete with Spain, but we fought all the time and we won lots of balls. We wanted to win, and we won.”

Spain took control of the play in the first half, monopolizing ball possession, almost going ahead with a Sergio Ramos free kick striking the bar and Ansu Fati missing the net on a clear sight of the goal. Ukraine came out stronger in the second half, missing out on Oleksandr Zubkov’s golden chance to take the lead when he deked de Gea in the area, only to somehow miss a wide-open target.

Spain went for the jugular with midfielder Rodri hitting the post and Mikel Oyarzabal being negated by Ukraine’s outstanding goalkeeper Georgiy Bushcan, making only his third national appearance after three other goalkeepers tested positive for the coronavirus.

Spain was soon undone at the other end when some lackluster goalkeeping from de Gea allowed Tsygankov to net the match’s lone tally, leaving the Spaniards in a state of shock in the very stadium where they had beaten Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final.

Ukraine lost 1-2 against Germany on October 10 in Kyiv; Ukraine plays against Germany again on November 14 in Leipzig and against Switzerland on November 17 in Lucerne. Ukraine is in third place in Group 4 with six points (tied with Germany) after four matches played. Spain leads the group with seven points, and Switzerland, in fourth place, has two points.

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