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Ukraine's national football team secured a thrilling 2:1 victory over Slovakia in the second round of the Euro 2024 group stage, showcasing a dramatic turnaround in the second half.

Rebrov's Tactical Changes Pay Off

Sergiy Rebrov made four changes to the starting lineup, a move that was widely anticipated. "Everyone understood that adjustments were necessary," said former Ukraine forward Andriy Vorobey. "The coaching staff saw who was underperforming and made the necessary changes."

A Struggling First Half

In the initial 45 minutes, Ukraine seemed to carry over their sluggish performance from the game against Romania. Slovakia dominated possession and had five shots on goal to Ukraine's one by the 20th minute. The standout player was goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, whose remarkable saves kept Ukraine in the game. "Our players were practically asleep in the first half," Vorobey noted. "We weren't pressing, and Dovbyk was isolated in attack."

Second-Half Revival

The halftime talk clearly had an impact. Ukraine began to win the ball in midfield and applied high pressure on Slovakia's half. This tactical shift led to several scoring opportunities. The introduction of Yaremchuk and Zubkov added much-needed dynamism. "Shaparenko also started playing behind the forward, contributing a goal and an assist," Vorobey analyzed. "This is the level of play we should expect from Mudryk and Sudakov as well."

Yaremchuk's Heroic Performance

Roman Yaremchuk, who has had a challenging season with Valencia, emerged as the hero of the match. "His goal against Slovakia was a masterpiece," Vorobey praised. "Shaparenko found him with a precise pass, and Yaremchuk's finish was pure brilliance."

Looking Ahead to Belgium

Ukraine's next challenge is a historic first encounter with Belgium in the group stage. "After the first half against Slovakia, I wanted to turn off the TV," Vorobey admitted. "But we fought back. We need a clear game plan against Belgium, who have their own defensive issues. Our players must give their all for the full 95 minutes."

Editor: Emiliia Morozova