Nations League: Ukraine misses out on victory in Georgia and risks leaving League B
The Ukraine national team is on the verge of a leaving the second division of Nations League. After a draw against Georgia, Serhiy Rebrov's men remain in last place. Only a win in Albania will save the Blue-Yellows from relegation.
In fact, they had to win in Batumi as well. The Ukrainians opened the scoring in the seventh minute. In a quick attack Mudryk dribbled the ball past the defender on the right wing and shot into the centre, where Kverkvelia played unsuccessfully and hit his own goal.
The Georgian national team quickly seized the initiative, which, however, did not affect the number of shots or chances. Kvaratskhelia had a good opportunity, earning a free-kick and taking it himself - the ball went well over the crossbar. The Ukrainians however had no counterplay at all: betting on Mudryk to run away and create something.
The hosts were very close to equalising in the 62nd minute. Kvaratskhelia moved from the left to the centre and shot into the far corner - this shot hit the crossbar. The Ukraine national team had their own chance chance - just two minutes later, Mudryk sent the ball to Dobvyk, but Roma forward shot well over the goal.
The further it went, the more it became obvious that the Ukrainians had to spend more time in defence. But they failed to fight back. In the 77th minute Trubin saved Kochorashvili's shot, but Mikautadze was the first on the rebound - 1:1.
The hosts rushed forward and almost paid the price. In the penalty time, the Ukrainians made a perfect counterattack, which should have brought victory to the visitors. But Mamardashvili showed why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, stopping the shots of Hutsuliak and Nazarenko.
Five points in five matches and the last place in the group - in Albania the national team of Ukraine need only the victory.
Nations League 2024-2025
Georgia - Ukraine 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Kvirkvelia S., 7 (own goal) (0:1); Mikautadze, 76 (1:1)
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze; Kashia; Kvirkvelia S. (Gocholeishvili, 67); Lochoschvili; Kvaratskhelia; Kiteishvili (Mekvabishvili, 86); Kochorashvili; Chakvetadze (Davitashvili, 46); Zivzivadze (Mikautadze, 67); Shengelia (Tsitaishvili, 67)
Bench: Gugeshashvili; Loria G.; Gvelesiani; Kalandadze; Lobjanidze S.; Kvekveskiri N.
Yellow Cards: Lochoschvili 31; Gocholeishvili 70
Ukraine: Trubin; Zabarnyi; Konoplya; Matviyenko; Mykolenko; Mudryk; Sudakov (Nazarenko Ol-r, 86); Brazhko (Kaliuzhnyi, 80); Dovbyk (Yaremchuk, 80); Zubkov (Hutsuliak, 64); Shaparenko (Kryskiv, 64)
Bench: Bushchan; Riznyk D.; Talovierov; Bondar V.; Sych O.; Yarmoliuk; Zinchenko
Yellow Cards: Zubkov 2; Shaparenko 52; Mykolenko 82; Mudryk 84
