Oleksandr Zinchenko and Artem Dovbyk were on target as Ukraine beat Sweden 2-1 after extra time to advance to the UEFA Euro 2020 quarter-final.
In what was the final Round of 16 stage fixture, being played out a Hampden Park, Ukraine made the better start and were rewarded with the opening goal just before the half-hour mark as Oleksandr Zinchenko struck a sweet effort after being found by Andriy Yarmolenko. However, Sweden grew into the game and were able to level things up before half-time, with Emil Forsberg finding the back of the net with a deflected strike from range.
Ten minutes into the second half, Ukraine came close to regaining their lead only to see Serhiy Sydorchuk’s effort hit the woodwork. At the other end, Forsberg, who was in his elements on the night, hit the foot of the post before striking the crossbar soon after, as neither team was able to find that elusive second goal, forcing the game into extra time.
Nine minutes into the first half of extra time, there was drama as Sweden were reduced to ten men, with Marcus Danielson shown a red card for a rash challenge after intervention from the VAR. Buoyed by the advantage, Ukraine took the game to Janne Andersson’s side and, in dramatic fashion, found the match-winner in stoppage time of extra time when substitute Artem Dovbyk turned home Zinchenko’s cross into the back of the net.
It was yet another gruelling encounter between two teams that gave their all. Ultimately, Ukraine prevailed to set up a quarter-final meeting with England, who beat Germany 2-0 at Wembley earlier on the night. Here are our player ratings for both sets of players after yet another nerve-wracking Round of 16 tie in the UEFA Euro 2020.
Sweden
Robin Olsen: 5/10
Made a couple of good saves over the course of the game but should have done better to stop Zinchenko’s effort for the opener as it went right through his hands.
Mikael Lustig: 6/10
Not much of an impact going forward apart from a nice through ball to Dejan Kulusevski leading to a half-chance early in the game. Solid defensively for most parts on his flank before making way for Emil Krafth.
Victor Lindelof: 6/10
Assured in his defensive work, reliable with the ball at his feet, the Manchester United defender had a pretty good game until the late winning goal when he could have attempted to deal with the cross.
Marcus Danielson: 5/10
Was having a solid game, showing good discipline and alertness at the back until a moment of rashness saw him get sent off in extra time for a horrendous challenge on Artem Besyedin. Dented Sweden’s hopes with that.
Ludwig Augustinsson: 6/10
Got forward well down the left flank, allowing Forsberg to cut infield regularly and delivered a few dangerous crosses as well. However, it also meant he left spaces in behind, which Yarmolenko was able to exploit at times.
Sebastian Larsson: 6/10
Forced a brilliant save from the Ukrainian goalkeeper from a free-kick in the first half and came close with another effort after the break. Wasn’t able to contribute much else in attack, though.
Kristoffer Olsson: 6/10
Used the ball smartly and did not give away possession cheaply. At the same time, though, lacked that bit of creative element to open up the Ukrainian defence. At times left the backline exposed as well.
Albin Ekdal: 6.5/10
Positive on the ball, the midfielder looked to drive forward when in possession or find teammates in advanced positions regularly. Sent Alexander Isak through on goal with a beautiful pass in the second half, but the youngster missed.
Emil Forsberg: 8/10
4 of the 5 goals scored by Sweden this #EURO2020 have been scored by Emil Forsberg! ??? pic.twitter.com/3rf6aEvnEe
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) June 29, 2021
Lively from the off, the RB Leipzig star caused problems each time he drifted in from the left to find himself in pockets of spaces between the Ukrainian defence and midfield. Got Sweden back on level terms, albeit with a slice of luck as his shot went in off a deflection. Continued to pose a threat after the break and was terribly unlucky to see two brilliant hits bounce off the woodwork.
Dejan Kulusevski: 7/10
Back into the side, the Juventus forward was a lively presence, especially in the first half when his movement and running into the channels posed problems to the Ukrainian backline. Created a couple of chances and also drew a save from the opposition goalkeeper. Taken off in extra time.
Alexander Isak: 6/10
Like Kulusevski, Isak’s movement and direct running put Ukraine under pressure while the young striker also executed some neat link-up play, most notably setting Forsberg up for the opener. However, he missed a gilt-edged chance in the second half when he could have potentially won it for Sweden after being played in by Ekdal, which sees his rating get docked.
Alexander Isak has now provided two assists in his last two games for #SWE at #EURO2020
Both have been for Emil Forsberg. pic.twitter.com/7McwA2CtAW
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 29, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Pierre Bengtsson: 6/10
Replaced Augustinsson at left-back in the 83rd minute. Defended solidly.
Emil Krafth: 6/10
On for Lustig in the 83rd minute. Kept his cool under intense pressure from Ukraine.
Robin Quaison: 5/10
Replaced Kulusevski in the seventh minute of extra time. Not much impact.
Marcus Berg: 5/10
Thrown on in place of Isak in extra time. Not enough time to make an impact.
Viktor Claesson: 5/10
On for Larsson in the 97th minute.
Filip Helander: 5/10
Replaced Kristoffer Olsson and slotted in at centre-back for the final 20 minutes after Danielson’s sending off. Couldn’t track Dovbyk’s run for the winner.
Ukraine
Georgi Bushchan: 7/10
Solid for most of the night, dealing with whatever came his way fairly comfortably. Not a lot he could have done about the deflected strike for the goal. Made some good saves to deny Larsson and Kulusevski.
Illia Zabarnyi: 7/10
Unfortunate deflection for the equaliser aside, the teenage defender was unflappable on Tuesday night. Read the game well to make crucial interventions time and again and showed confidence when in possession.
Sergey Krvytsov: 6.5/10
Strong in the air, solid on the ground, the defender did well to deal with Isak even though there were a few nervy moments here and there.
Mykola Matviyenko: 7.5/10
Solid as they come. Hardly let anything get past him, owing to his good reading of situations and strong positional awareness.
Mykola Matviyenko's game by numbers vs. #SWE
100% aerial duels won
100% tackle success
90% pass accuracy
128 touches (most)
111 passes (most)
14 long balls (most)
7 clearances (most)
3 interceptions
1 tackle
0x dribbled pastGiving it his all in 120 minutes. pic.twitter.com/uEDDSMz3dc
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 29, 2021
Oleksandr Karavayev: 6/10
A positive display going forward as he constantly came up in support of Yarmolenko down the right. This also meant that Forsberg was able to escape his attention quite a bit over the course of the game.
Serhiy Sydorchuk: 7/10
A hard-working display from the Ukrainian midfielder kept things ticking along nicely when in possession while always being at hand to help out defensively. Came close to scoring in the second half, but his shot hit the woodwork.
Taras Stepanenko: 6/10
Made some important tackles and interceptions to break up play and shielded his backline fairly well. But he couldn’t always deal with Forsberg when he drifted into central areas.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 8/10
A fine finish to get the ball rolling for Ukraine in the first half and was a constant attacking outlet on the left. Hardly let anything get by him defensively either before setting up the winning goal with an inch-perfect cross deep in extra time—the difference-maker for his team.
?? Ukraine hero Oleksandr Zinchenko takes the prize after a goal and an assist in the round of 16! ?@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ZLHlmLnBbU
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 29, 2021
Andriy Yarmolenko: 7.5/10
Such a menace down the right-hand side with his incisive movement. Got himself an assist with a beautiful cross for Zinchenko’s goal and created as many as three chances on the night.
Roman Yaremchuk: 6/10
Wasn’t able to provide much of a goal threat, but the Ukrainian striker was still a nuisance for the Swedes with his hold-up play and some neat exchanges with those surrounding him in the final third.
Mykola Shaparenko: 7/10
Was one of the brightest players on the field during his time on the pitch. He was involved in the opening goal with a lovely switch of play and continued to craft openings with his movement and ability to play incisive passes. Hooked off quite early, though.
SUBSTITUTES
Ruslan Malinovskiy: 6/10
On for Shaparenko at the hour mark. Fashioned a few openings but not at his best.
Artem Besyedin: 5/10
Replaced Yaremchuk in the 90th minute. Taken off not long after, following the horrific tackle by Danielson.
Yevhenii Makarenko: 6/10
Replaced Stepanenko for the last 25 minutes of extra time. Did a solid job.
Viktor Tshyankov: 5/10
On for the injured Besyedin for the final 20 minutes or so.
Artem Dovbyk: 8/10
Late drama!
?? What a moment for Ukraine as Dovbyk wins it in extra time ⚽️#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/J7tAv8Mbc9
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 29, 2021
On for Yarmolenko with 15 minutes of extra time left. Bright from the off and brilliantly turned Zinchenko’s cross into the net for the match-winning goal in the final minute.
Roman Bezus: N/a
Late sub for Sydorchuk.
