Ukraine’s cries of sadness changed into joy as they qualified for the Euro 2024 football tournament with a stunning 2-1 win against Iceland in their playoff final on Tuesday at Poland’s neutral but partisan Wroclaw Stadium.
Viktor Tsygankov and Mykhailo Mudryk scored second-half goals to complete the mission in a campaign in which Ukraine has been forced to play ‘home’ games in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of the country, which sparked a war that is still ongoing.
After taking the lead thanks to Albert Gudmundsson in the first half, Iceland lost control of the ball and the momentum as they struggled to contain Ukraine for most of the match.
Ukraine is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the continental finals, this time in Group E alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, against whom they will begin their campaign on June 17.
