Sweden 1-2 Ukraine
The final tie of an action-packed Euro 2020 round of 16 provided yet more drama as Ukraine defeated Sweden 2-1 in extra time to move on to the quarter-finals.
Artem Dovbyk’s diving header in stoppage time gave Andriy Shevchenko’s side the dramatic victory over the Swedes, who hit the woodwork twice through Emil Forsberg and were also reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes of the game.
Ukraine now move on to their first ever European Championship quarter-final appearance in Rome to face England, who beat Germany at Wembley.
Highlights of the game
Ukraine came into this match against Sweden as slight underdogs, but they were the ones who came out stronger and created the better chances in the early going.
Captain Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk had a lovely interchange which resulted in a good shot by Yaremchuk on 11 minutes, but Sweden keeper Robin Olsen did well to parry it away.
Sweden struck back with two good chances of their own in quick succession. First, Emil Forsberg mistimed his header from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross. Then, Alexander Isak just missed the bottom corner with his powerful right-footed shot.
But it would be Ukraine who took the lead on 27 minutes as their two English Premier League stars — Yarmolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko — combined for a wonderful goal. Yarmolenko picked out Zinchenko on the opposite side of the penalty area with a sensational pass with the outside of his left foot, and the Manchester City star fired his first-time half-volley past the diving Olsen.
Sweden came close to equalising just minutes after with Sebastian Larsson’s free kick almost catching Ukraine’s Georgi Bushchan off-guard.
But the Swedes did level the score back up two minutes from half-time. After a fine passing move, Forsberg’s long-range shot took a wicked deflection off a Ukraine defender which took the ball over Bushchan and into the net.
Ten minutes into the second half, and both teams struck the woodwork in quick succession. Ukraine went first as Serhiy Sydorchuk’s sweetly struck shot slammed the outside of the post. And Sweden came right back with Forsberg, who saw his curling effort hit the base of the post.
Sweden then had a terrific chance to take the lead on the hour mark as Albin Ekdal perfectly picked out Isak, but the impressive Real Sociedad striker squandered his chance. Although, the replay showed that Isak was fractionally offside, so the goal wouldn’t have counted had he put the chance away.
It was looking more and more like fortune just wasn’t smiling on Sweden and Forsberg when he struck the woodwork a second time on 69 minutes.
The match eventually went on to extra time, and Sweden had to play the last 21 minutes of it with 10 men after Marcus Danielson was sent off for a horrific tackle on Ukraine substitute Artem Besedin, who had to be taken off.
Ten-man Sweden had seemingly held on for penalty shootout, but Ukraine snatched a last-gasp winner in stoppage time. Substitute Artem Dovbyk got on the end of Zinchenko’s fantastic cross and headed home the dramatic winning goal to see Ukraine through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
Key statistics
The final statistics slightly favoured Ukraine as they had more possession (54 per cent) and had a 15-13 edge in shots. However, Sweden had their chances and easily could have won.
Forsberg was outstanding once again for the Swedes. He created even more Euro 2020 highlights with six shots, two of which hit the woodwork. After getting two goals against Poland, he now has four goals in the tournament, which puts him in a three-way tie for second behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yarmolenko was equally as crucial for Ukraine, though. He created three chances and assisted their opening goal. The West Ham striker now has two goals and two assists in this tournament.
What’s next?
Ukraine’s win now sets up a quarter-final showdown with England at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on July 3. Stay tuned for SBOTOP’s comprehensive preview of that quarter-final clash.
The English took care of business in their quarter-final with a 2-0 victory over Germany, and the Euro 2020 betting odds will surely have them as massive favourites to win the tournament since they have such an easy road to the final (on paper, at least).
However, Ukraine have shown they are no slouch. The Three Lions must show them the utmost respect or they risk being on the receiving end of a major upset.
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