As you know, Andriy Shevchenko’s men qualified for playoffs as one of top four teams that finished third in their groups.
Meanwhile Sweden won group E with seven points by beating Slovakia and Poland and playing in a draw against Spain.
The round of 16 match was very intense. Ukraine scored the decider only late in extra time.
Sweden started more aggressively, so Bushchan and our defenders had to be careful. Still the Yellow-Blues coped with the pressure and created some chances too.
Ukrainians used one of their opportunities. Yarmolenko put a cross to Zinchenko, who sent the ball into the net.
When it seemed that nothing could go wrong, Sweden equalized. Forsberg attempted from distance and the ball hit the target due to rebound.
Early in the second both sides count step in front, but Sydorchuk and Forsberg hit the post each! Bushchan saved the team by parrying decent strike of Kulusevski. Forsberg attempted from outside the box and hit the woodwork again.
Eventually the match reached extra time. The first 15 minutes were marked by bitter accident. Artem Besedin got injured and couldn’t continue the game. Danielsson, who committed rough foul, was sent off.
Ukraine attacked throughout the second part of extra time and succeeded after Zinchenko crossed to Dovbyk and Artem headed it in from inside the box. So, the Yellow-Blues reach the quarterfinal. On July 3, they’ll face England in Rome.
By the way, seven FC Dynamo Kyiv performers took part in this game: Heorhiy Bushchan, Illia Zabarnyi, Olexandr Karavayev, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Mykola Shaparenko, Artem Besedin and Viktor Tsyhankov.
* Photos – uefa.com
