Slovakia's Bundesliga trio fall to 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ukraine
Hertha Berlin defender Peter Pekarík and Hamburg's László Bénes both featured for Slovakia but were unable to avoid defeat as Ukraine emerged 2-1 winners in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group E meeting in Düsseldorf.
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
Goals: 1-0 Schranz (17’), 1-1 Shaparenko (54'), 1-2 Yaremchuk (80')
Hertha Berlin defender Peter Pekarík retained his place in the satrting XI at kick-off, with Slovakia looking to build on their impressive opening-game win over Belgium. Victory over Ukraine in Düsseldorf would see Slovakia qualify for the knockout stage of the competition, at least as a best third-place team, and they were soon in front. Ivan Schranz was the man who gave his nation the lead, heading home at the back post inside the first 20 minutes of the first-half. They held that lead until the 54th minute, when Mykola Shaparenko produced a deserved equaliser for Ukraine. Looking to get their noses back in front, Hamburg's László Bénes replaced former Hertha and Cologne midfielder Ondrej Duda on the hour mark for Slovakia. It didn't produce a winner for Slovakia, though, instead it was Ukraine who claimed the points thanks to Roman Yaremchuk's excellent second with 10 minutes to go. Bochum's Matúš Bero remained an unused sub for Slovakia.
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