On 14 November Ukraine’s U21 national team played a Euro 2027 (U21) qualifying match against Turkey. The game took place in Istanbul at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium and ended in a narrow defeat for the “Blue and Yellows” – 0:1.
The first half was evenly contested and finished goalless. In the second half Ukraine created several good chances, including hitting the post, but failed to convert. Instead they conceded. The only goal of the match came in the 73rd minute, scored by Ilhan. He reacted first to a rebound after goalkeeper Pakholyuk punched the ball outside the penalty area following a Turkish cross. The Turkish player made no mistake and secured the win for his team.
Three Dynamo Kyiv representatives who had been called up for the international break took part in the game.
Defender Vladyslav Zakharchenko, as well as midfielder Anton Tsarenko (on loan at Polish side Lechia) and midfielder Andrii Matkevych (on loan at Zorya Luhansk), all started the match. Zakharchenko played the full 90 minutes while Tsarenko and Matkevych were substituted at halftime.
After four matches played in the Euro 2027 (U21) qualification campaign Ukraine U21 have collected four points and sit third in their group – three points behind Croatia, who have played one game fewer, and four behind group leaders Turkey.
The winners of each group qualify directly for the U21 European Championship. One additional spot goes to the best second-placed team across all nine groups. The remaining eight runners-up will compete in playoffs for a place in the final tournament.
A reminder: in a few days, on Monday, 17 November, Ukraine U21 will play a friendly against Albania. The away match will take place in the city of Elbasan. Their next Euro-2027 qualifier will be at home on 27 March against Lithuania.
Euro 2027 (U21). Qualifying. Group H.
14 November. Istanbul. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium.
Turkey U21 – Ukraine U21 – 1:0 (0:0)
Ukraine U21: Krapyvtsov (Pakholyuk, 44), Korniichuk, Zakharchenko, Kysil, Krupskyi (c), Krevsun, Varfolomieiev (Pastukh, 83), Tsarenko (Hlushchenko, 46), Matkevych (Slesar, 46), Stepanov (Pyshchur, 56), Synchuk.
Goal: Ilhan (73)
