14.10.2019 » Ukraine 2-1 Portugal. No reason to celebrate in Kiev

Tweet

In the most difficult game Portugal had ahead in the EURO 2020 qualifying stage, the Seleção were defeated 2-1 by Ukraine and are now forced to win their remaining games in order to secure the qualification by finishing in their group's second place.

The biggest match of the day in the EURO 2020 qualifiers took place in Kiev this Monday night, as Ukraine and Portugal locked horns to decide who would grab the first place in Group B. Unfortunately and just like it had happened in Lisbon back in March, Fernando Santos' men were unable to beat their rivals and this time, they even got defeated by 2-1. What this means is that Ukraine have now booked their ticket to the EURO 2020 by securing the first place in Group B, while Portugal will now have to battle for the second place, which also grants the right to be in the tournament's finals in the summer of 2020. On a side note, Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored his 700th career goal, when Portugal managed to reduce Ukraine's lead deep in the second half, from two goals to one.

Cristiano Ronaldo game photos in Ukraine vs Portugal
Ukraine 2-1 Portugal - Goals and highlights:

All Cristiano Ronaldo actions vs Ukraine:

A first-half to forget...

It was a huge game for both nations, but probably slightly more important for Ukraine since they had the chance to mathematically secure their presence in the upcoming EURO 2020 finals. The hosts approached this game as if it was a cup final and managed to beat the reigning European champions thanks to goals from Yaremchuk and Yarmkolenko. Portugal's only goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, but it proved to be insufficient to grab anything positive from this journey's trip to Kiev.

Just a few days after collecting a 3-0 win against Luxembourg, Fernando Santos only made 2 changes to his side. In midfield, he took off Bruno Fernandes and replaced him with João Mário and in the attack he benched Atletico Madrid's wonderboy, João Félix, so he could give an opportunity to Valencia's Gonçalo Guedes.

However, it only took 5 minutes for Ukraine to break the deadlock and shock the Portuguese Team. Yaremchuk had an easy tap-in on the far post, following a first great save from Rui Patrício to a Krytsov header. The Ukrainian defender beat Ronaldo in the air, saw his header then getting blocked by the Portuguese goalkeeper, but the ball fell to Yaremchuk who had no difficulties in scoring against an empty net.

Ronaldo got his 700th career goal

We can't really say that Portugal didn't react to the first goal. The European champions had more possession and shots than their opponents, but never really created clear-cut chances to equalize the game. And as they say in football, those who don't score, end up conceding...

The hosts held the pressure well and reached their second goal on the night near the 27th minute of the first half. In a play where the Portuguese defense had an unusual lapse in marking, Andriy Yarmolenko was left completely alone in the heart of the box and and as soon as Vitaliy Mykolenko's cross met him unmarked, we all knew the Seleção was in big trouble. The West Ham forward kept his composure and beat Rui Patrício with an easy left-footed strike, giving his side a very precious 2-goal lead in this game.

After finding themselves 2 goals behind at half-time, the Portuguese Team knew they would have to produce a brilliant second half in order to still aspire to bring anything positive from this game. Not only that, but they would have to be a lot more efficient in front of goal, which was precisely what they failed at... The Seleção created several good chances to score and put some pressure on Ukraine, but for one reason or another, the ball wasn't going in. The only goal the visitors would scored came from a penalty-kick converted by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 72nd minute, his 700th career goal. Portugal kept trying until the end, but it just wasn't their day and they left Kiev with a sense of frustration...

Portugal line-up vs Ukraine:

Goalkeeper: Rui Patrício
Defenders: Raphael Guerreiro, Rúben Dias, Pepe, Nélson Semedo
Midfielders: Danilo Pereira, João Moutinho, João Mário, Bernardo Silva
Attackers: Gonçalo Guedes, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Juventus in the Serie A is on October 19, against Bologna. You can watch Juventus vs Bologna, Romania vs Norway, Sweden vs Spain, Switzerland vs Ireland, Liechtenstein vs Italy, and Canada vs USA, all matches provided from our live footy game pages.

Juventus next game:
Juventus vs Bologna kick-off time (19-10-2019):

Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 02:45
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 01:45
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 00:15
Italy (Turin) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:45
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:45
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 19:45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 15:45
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 14:45
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:45

Sources: ronaldo7.net / sports.yahoo.com / uefa.com / foxsports.com

[ Ronaldo photos in Ukraine vs Portugal / Back to News Index ]