Ukraine still has a good chance of taking part in the European Football Championship in Germany next year.
Coach Serhiy Rebrov’s selection won 2-0 (1-0) against North Macedonia in Prague on Saturday and moved past Italy into second place in Group C, at least temporarily.
The European champions can overtake bottom team Malta again in the evening (8:45 p.m.).
Heorhiy Sudakov (30th) and Oleksandr Karavayev (90th + 5) scored the goals for the Ukrainians, who are three points behind leaders England with ten points after six games in the group of five.
Italy has seven points. On November 20th there will be the second direct duel between the Ukrainians and the Squadra Azzurra in Leverkusen. Italy won the first game 2-1. If there is a tie, the direct comparison decides.
Ukraine will play its home games in the European Championship qualifiers in stadiums abroad due to the Russian invasion.