The Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona would have been pleased by his team’s first half display as they picked up where they left off against Belgium.
However, the half time interval saw a change of fortune and control as an inspired Ukraine came out with a higher intensity and began to grow into the game.
Ukraine manager Serhiy Rebrov encouraged his team to get comfortable in possession and they displayed huge conviction in transition. A higher press put Slovakia in a state of discomfort as more chances came Ukraine’s way.
In the second half, the Blue and Yellow's scored twice to complete a fine comeback which bolsters their knockout hopes, but they must manufacture a result against a troubled Belgium in their final match of Group E if they are to progress.
Here are how the players rated:
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Slovakia
Martin Dubravka - 5/10
The Premier League veteran endured a game of mixed emotions. In fairness, there was little he could have done about Ukraine’s first goal, but he showed a moment of hesitancy for the match winner, allowing Roman Yaremchuk time to bring the ball down and score from a tight angle.
David Hancko - 7/10
A groin injury put an abrupt end to another professional display by the Liverpool target. The versatile defender looked comfortable defensively and supported the left winger in forward areas. It would come as no surprise that Slovkia’s capitulation occurred when they were without Hancko.
Milan Skriniar - 6/10
Slovakia’s captain showed his qualities on the ball in the first half and between him and his centre-back partner, the goal threat of Artem Dovbyk was well marshalled. However, the Paris Saint-Germain defender failed to close down Mykhola Shaparenko, who then stabbed home the leveller.
Denis Vavro - 6/10
Much like Skriniar, Vavro looked assured in the defence until Ukraine’s press intensified and a few mistakes in possession arose for Slovakia.
Peter Pekarik - 6/10
The 37-year-old impressed in defeat and, despite his age, Pekarik was lively and added width in forward areas. In defensive situations, the Hertha Berlin player made crucial tackles until the later stages, where he began to tire.
Stanislav Lobotka - 6/10
Having been named Man of the Match against Belgium, Lobotka’s first half performance was of suit, as he dictated the tempo and was key in breaking down Ukraine attacks. As the opposition's midfield pushed higher afield, Lobotka had less time on the ball and failed to influence the match.
Ondrej Duda - 6/10
The Hellas Verona midfielder was an integral cog that linked defence to attack in the early stages. However, as the Ukrainian midfield began to take control, Duda was ineffective and was soon replaced.
Juraj Kucka - 5/10
Another Slovakia veteran at 37-years-old, Kucka was a shadow of himself throughout the majority of the fixture. The ever-present midfielder was sloppy on the ball, failed to make the most of key chances and was culprit of mistakes in the later stages of the match.
Ivan Schranz - 7/10
The Slavia Prague winger is becoming a cult hero for his nation as another early goal put his Euro 2024 goal tally up to two. Schranz attacked a deep cross at the back post, out-jumping Oleksandr Zinchenko, and headed in Slovakia’s second goal at the tournament.
Lukas Haraslin - 8/10
Slovakia enjoyed much success in the first half after leaving Haraslin one-on-one against the full-back. The standout winger was willing to cut inside and strike at goa,l or take on the defender on the outside. It was his left footed cross that picked out Schranz for Slovakia’s goal.
Robert Bozenik - 4/10
The Boavista striker proved ineffective for Slovakia as he failed to make the most of their strong start. When under pressure, Bozenik failed to trap the ball and help his side out and he was soon replaced.
Laszlo Benes - 5/10
Benes had half an hour on the field and failed to help his side regain control. It was in the later stages, when they were 2-1 down, where he was part of a midfield that looked depleted and out of ideas.
David Strelec - 5/10
The striker from Slovan much impersonated Bozenik as Slovakia failed to get the attacker involved and Calzona would have wanted more from the 23-year-old.
Adam Obert - 6/10
The youngster replaced the injured Hancko and looked comfortable at left-back. If Hancko’s injury is serious, Obert may help alleviate panic for Calzona.
Tomas Suslov - 5/10
The winger replaced a tired Haraslin and failed to fill the void. Suslov’s performance was rather conservative as he looked out of ideas and constantly turned infield instead of stretching the Ukraine defence at a time of must.
Leo Sauer - N/A
The 18-year-old had too little time to make an impact but the Feyenoord prospect did break history, becoming the youngest Slovakian to play at a major tournament.
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Ukraine
Anatolli Trubin - 7/10
Having watched his teammate Andriy Lunin have a tough time against Romania, the young Benfica goalkeeper will have felt the pressure. However, Trubin’s first half saves were vital to keep the score at 1-0, which allowed for Ukraine to configure a comeback.
Oleksandr Tymchyk - 6/10
Tymchyk was also one of four changes made by Rebrov to resurrect the defeat to Romania. The defender had a tough time against Haraslin but his forward runs and key passes made him a big asset for Ukraine.
Illia Zabarnyi - 7/10
The Bournemouth defender looked comfortable on and off the ball. His precise long balls helped Ukraine stretch Slovakia and offer space in the middle areas. It was an overall solid display from Zabarnyi.
Mykola Matviienko - 6/10
The Shakhtar Donetsk defender looked assured and he was pivotal in keeping the striker of Slovakia quiet. The centre-back's aggression stopped Bozenik from collecting the ball to feet and thus stopping the rhythm of play.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 8/10
Despite being beaten in the air for Slovakia’s goal, Zinchenko can hold his head high after a strong display. He stayed wide in possession to help Mykhailo Mudryk, and his pin-point cross assisted the leveller. The Arsenal defender remained composed on the ball and was key in getting it into forward areas.
Volodymer Brazhko - 5/10
Brazhko replaced Taras Stepanenko to start as the deepest midfielder. But, Brazhko was erratic and often conceded cheap free-kicks in dangerous areas. However, his presence allowed Mykola Shaparenko to roam further forward.
Mykola Shaparenko - 8/10
Shaparenko was the best player in Ukraine’s victory as his continuous runs forward allowed another option in forward areas. The midfielder was rewarded for his efforts as he found space in the penalty area and scored to the goalkeepers right. In addition, Shaparenko’s perfectly placed long ball allowed Yaremchuk to pick it out of the sky and score the winner.
Georgiy Sudakov - 6/10
Again, Sudakov teased with glimpses of quality and skill, attempting to drive into forward areas in transition. However, Ukraine fans will want more moments of magic as he ghosted a lot against Slovakia.
Mykhailo Mudryk - 6/10
Much like Sudakov, much more is expected of the Chelsea winger as he failed to add an end product to his game again. However, there were signs of promise in the second half as Mudryk drove at the Slovakia defence, installing panic, and he was unfortunate as one of his efforts struck the post.
Andriy Yarmolenko - 6/10
It was a big call by manager Rebrov to replace Viktor Tsyhankov after his impressive season with Girona. However, Yarmolenko offered moments of quality with his left-foot, but he was well marshalled to prevent any of his infamous long-range efforts.
Artem Dovbyk - 6
The LaLiga top goal scorer would have hoped to score on his birthday, but the striker had to make the most of just scraps. However, his physical presence was helpful at times and he was unfortunate that Dubravka saved his close-range effort after showing good close control to create the chance.
Roman Yaremchuk - 8
The Valencia forward replaced Dovbyk and he added an energy that Ukraine had missed. He made an instant impact as he turned Vavro before driving forwards, where his pass was just too heavy and denied Mudryk of a certain goal. However, the striker made amends as he plucked a long ball out of the sky and carefully stroked the ball to the left of Dubravka to secure the win
Oleksandr Zubkov - 6
The winger failed to make much of an impact, but he was vital in Ukraine’s press to win the ball back.
Ruslan Malinovskyi, Serhiy Sydorchuk and Maksym Talovierov - N/A
