Ukraine roused themselves in the nick of time to salvage their Euro 2024 hopes as substitute Roman Yaremchuk’s late strike saw them hit back after falling a goal behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 in a lively Group E clash.
Trailing at halftime to an early header scored by Ivan Schranz, Ukraine’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage were in peril, but they stormed back in front of their joyous fans.
Slovakia, who produced the shock of the tournament so far to beat Belgium in their opener, would have sealed a last-16 berth with a win but sat back after a dream start and were punished.
Man of the match Mykola Shaparenko equalised in the 54th minute with a close-range finish before his pass sent Yaremchuk clear to prod the winner and spark ecstatic celebrations from the ranks of yellow and blue inside the Duesseldorf Stadium. Victory lifted Ukraine level on three points with Slovakia and Romania, who face Belgium on Saturday.
Follow the score and all the latest updates from Ukraine v Slovakia below.
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This is why Ralf Rangnick turned down Bayern Munich - Austria can cause a real Euro 2024 upset
So this is whyRalf RangnickrejectedBayern Munich.Euro 2024’s oldest managercould have taken charge of the biggest German clubbut rejected them to stay withAustria. Instead, he may be coaching for a little longer in his homeland this summer. A stirring victory gave Austria a fighting chance of reaching the last 16.
For Christoph Baumgartner, there was a seismic strike to accompany his statistical marvel. In March he scored whatappears the fastest goal in the history of international football. After that six-second effort against Slovakia, a goal in the 66th minute felt slovenly, but it was also well-taken and decisive, putting Austria ahead.
Then came what could prove the final blow for Poland. Penalties had taken them to Euro 2024, with Wojciech Szczesny’s shootout save from Wales’ Dan James deciding their play-off. A penalty gave Austria a cushion. It was conceded by Szczesny, withMarko Arnautovicthen beating him from 12 yards.
And so Austria, narrowly defeated by France, with the Netherlands to come, can glimpse the last 16. They got there in Euro 2020, but from a lesser group, playing duller football. This, however, was the Rangnick revolution put into practice, Germany’s original gegenpresser showing what he can do on the international stage.
This is why Rangnick turned down Bayern - Austria can cause real Euros upset
Poland 1-3 Austria: Marko Arnautovic wrapped up the win with a penalty which leaves the Poles facing a huge task to avoid elimination
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 19:20
Netherlands v France LIVE
Attention now turns to tonight’s game, and what a game it could be.
The Netherlands face France in the other match in Group D, with both looking to grab another three points to seal a place in the last 16.
You can follow the live text from that game below.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 19:50
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-3 Austria
Here’s that brilliantly worked goal from Christoph Baumgartner for Austria’s second.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 19:40
Next matches
So Austria will face the Netherlands in a potentially huge game on Tuesday, 25 June at 8pm BST. They will meet in Berlin, with both potentially being on three points (if the Netherlands lose tonight), so they may essentially be battling it out for second place in the group.
Poland will face France on the same evening at the same time, with that match taking place in Dortmund. Poland are all but out of contention for the last 16 now.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 19:30
Group D standings
Here’s how Group D looks now, with France playing the Netherlands in around an hour.
1 - France - 3 points, GD + 1 (played one)
2 - Netherlands - 3 points, GD +1 (played one)
3 - Austria - 3 points, GD +1
4 - Poland - 0 points, GD -3
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 19:10
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-3 Austria
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 19:00
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
94 mins
It’s a procession in the final couple of minutes as both teams wait for it to end.
The final whistle goes and Austria have a brilliant win and a vital three points! Their match against the Netherlands should be very interesting now, and they’ve done their ‘dark horses’ tag no harm in Berlin.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 18:56
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
93 mins
CLOSE! A great chance out of nowhere for Poland. It’s an inviting cross from the right towards the back post and Grosicki is unmarked, but he can only skew his volley wide.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 18:55
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
91 mins
Austria are still driving forward, led by Laimer again this time, but his attempted pass to Gregoritsch is overhit.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 18:53
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
90 mins
There’ll be four minutes of added time in Berlin.
It begins with an Austria free-kick, but they opt to go backwards and keep possession.
Chris Wilson21 June 2024 18:51
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