Ukraine’s players celebrate after defeating Sweden. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Dovbyk delivered the winner in extra time to put Ukraine through
Ukraine and Sweden finished out the round of 16 at Euro 2020 with one final spot in the quarterfinals on the line.
In keeping with the theme with a number of the previous knockout games, this one also delivered with some late match drama.
Ukraine went on top midway through the first half on a powerful strike by Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.
However, Sweden equalized three minutes before the end of the half courtesy of a deflected strike from outside the penalty area from RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg.
Both teams had a shot hit the post in the second half. But neither was able to find a second and thus the game was forced to go into extra time.
In extra time, Sweden’s Marcus Danielsson was shown a red card after a rather dangerous tackle on Artem Besyedin. The referee had initially given Danielsson a yellow card but changed it to red after checking the monitor.
“This victory I’d like to dedicate to Besedin, he received a horrible injury — when I came back to the locker room, I was beside myself. I’m sure he’ll come back stronger,” said Zinchenko after the game.
Source: ESPN
Sweden were then left with one less player for the remaining extra time.
But it became evident that players on both teams were exhausted during the final minutes. It seemed that penalty kicks were inevitable.
In the 120th minute, however, Artem Dovbyk played hero for Ukraine. The forward headed in a cross from the left to put his side up with little time left on the clock and all but assured their spot in the quarterfinals.
“I think the guys played for their supporters. We are really pleased. Our diaspora really supported us,” said Ukraine manager Andriy Shevchenko. “I think some people would’ve spent their last money to get here — we heard you, and thank you so much for your support.”
Source: ESPN
Ukraine and Sweden were in an unenviable position closing out the round of 16 and following the previous games that were full of upsets, comebacks and statement wins.
But neither team were focused on that. All they were focused was getting to the next stage. In the end, it was Ukraine who progress through. It definitely meant a lot to the players and supporters given the reaction at the end of the game.
Ukraine will look to keep going further in the tournament and get by England in the quarterfinals.
