Ukraine super-sub Yaremchuk throws Group E wide open
Ukraine defeated Slovakia 2-1 thanks to Roman Yaremchuk's excellent finish to throw Euro 2024 Group E wide open.
Having been beaten 3-0 by Romania in its opening match, Ukraine looked on course for another loss when Ivan Schranz - Slovakia's matchwinner against Belgium - opened the scoring in Dusseldorf.
Yet a much-improved second-half display saw Serhii Rebrov's team turn the match on its head, with substitute Yaremchuk capping a fine comeback.
Mykola Shaparenko drilled in from Oleksandr Zinchenko's centre in the 54th minute to restore parity, and subsequently turned provider for Yaremchuk's winner 10 minutes from time.
The striker brilliantly took down Shaparenko's searching pass over the top, taking it under his spell before slotting under Martin Dubravka, who should have done better.
Ukraine is level with Slovakia and Romania on three points, meaning Group E favourite Belgium is, as it stands, bottom of the pool. It plays Romania on Saturday.
With an average age of 25 years and 259 days, Ukraine's starting XI was the youngest named by a side at Euro 2024 so far – and the first, in fact, with an average age below 26 years.
Yaremchuk, meanwhile, became just the second Ukrainian substitute to score at a major tournament, alongside Artem Dovbyk vs Sweden at Euro 2020. That was also his third goal at a major tournament, with only Andriy Shevchenko netting more for Ukraine (four).