The Ukraine U19 national team, led by Dmytro Mykhailenko, performed a true feat at the European Championship in Wales. In the match against Serbia, the "blue and yellows" conceded first but managed to turn the game around in just four minutes, securing a historic place in the tournament semi-finals.
From a conceded goal to triumph
After a confident victory over Croatia in the first round, the Ukrainian youth team approached the game against Serbia with a clear goal: three points would guarantee an early exit to the playoffs. The situation in the group was favorable, as the main rivals — Italy and Croatia — had previously drawn 0:0.
However, the start of the match in Bangor was difficult. Already in the 16th minute, Serbian forward Djordje Ranković, receiving the ball in the penalty area, opened the scoring with a precise shot into the bottom right corner. This goal was a cold shower for the Ukrainians, but it did not break their spirit.
Vitaliy Hlut's Blitzkrieg
The "blue and yellows" united and responded with a real blitzkrieg. The main hero of this segment was 18-year-old Vitaliy Hlut, who demonstrated masterful play and became a key figure in the turning point of the match. Thanks to his efforts and team interaction, Ukraine was able not only to equalize but also to take the lead.
In the second half, the team showed mature tactical play in defense, reliably protecting the goal from the opponent's attacks. This allowed them to confidently bring the match to a willful victory and consolidate the success.
Historic breakthrough
Thanks to this comeback, Ukraine took sole possession of the top spot in Group B, earning a maximum 6 points after two matches. Since the top two teams in the quartet advance to the semi-finals, the "blue and yellows" became unreachable for Croatia (1 point) and Serbia (0 points).
Advancing to the semi-finals automatically means fulfilling the strategic task — winning a ticket to the 2027 U-20 World Cup. According to the regulations, all four semi-finalists of the European Championship receive the right to represent their countries at the world championship.
Final chord of the group stage
In the final round of the group stage, which will take place on Sunday, July 5, at 18:00, the Ukrainian national team will play against Italy. In this match, the fate of first place in the group will be decided. The European Championship in Wales will last until July 11.
This victory became a bright example of how a young team can show character, will, and professionalism even in the most difficult situations. Ukrainian footballers have proven that they are capable of competing with the strongest opponents on the European stage.