Substitute Roman Yaremchuk scored a late winner as Ukraine came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 in Group E at the Dusseldorf Arena and keep alive hopes of qualification for the last 16 of Euro 2024.
Ivan Schranz had put Slovakia – looking to build on their shock win over Belgium – ahead early in the first half.
Mykola Shaparenko drew Ukraine level soon after the restart before Yaremchuk slotted in a well-taken finish with 10 minutes left.
Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin – brought in to replace Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin, who had made a couple of costly errors in the opening 3-0 defeat by Romania – was soon tested as he saved Lukas Haraslin’s effort and then denied Schranz at point-blank range.
After Benfica number one Trubin had palmed away David Hancko’s free-kick, Slovakia made their early pressure count in the 18th minute when Schranz headed in at the back post from Haraslin’s lofted cross.
Ukraine eventually sparked into life as Artem Dovbyk’s shot was blocked before Oleksandr Tymchyk saw his angled effort tipped onto the post by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.
Just before half-time, Trubin made another fine save to push away Haraslin’s low drive from the edge of the box.
Ukraine were back on level terms in the 54th minute following a swift counter attack when Shaparenko swept home a cross from Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Yaremchuk then broke clear before sending Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk into the left side of the penalty area and his shot from a tight angle hit the base of the post.
Ukraine, though, found a late winner when Shaparenko clipped a pass up towards Yaremchuk, who took the ball down from over his shoulder with a deft touch before stabbing it past Dubravka.
