In the last six years, no other football team has seen the ups and downs like Italy! After 2018, Italy did not qualify for the World Cup in 2022. Italy became the champion of the 2020 EURO. But this time again the champion team was worried about playing in the main phase of EURO.
Italy had to get at least 1 point against Ukraine tomorrow to qualify for the finals of EURO from 'C' group. Italy got the ticket to the EURO after a goalless draw in a thrilling match.
24-team EURO in June-July next year. The top two teams from each of the 10 qualifying groups advance to the main stage. They will play directly as Germany is the host. The remaining three teams will come by playing the playoffs.
Italy drew with Ukraine yesterday and made it to the main stage as the runner-up of Group 'C'. Both the teams have equal 14 points. Even number of matches won, lost and drawn are equal. However, in the first meeting between the two teams, Italy won 2-1 and they qualified for the main stage. In addition, Italy is ahead of Ukraine in goal difference.
It was a home match for war-torn Ukraine. However, due to the lack of international matches on their own ground, the German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen played at the Bay Arena. Although the home match will be played in the next field, Ukraine has taken a tough test from Italy. Italy was saved when the referee rejected Ukraine's penalty claim at the very end. However, the decision of the referee caused dissatisfaction among Ukraine.
That's what happened in the third minute of added time. Chelsea's Ukraine's Mykhailo Mudryk fell victim to a tackle in Italy's D box. Ukraine immediately appealed for a penalty. But the incident was canceled after a brief review by the VAR. Moments later, Ukraine's excitement started when the referee blew the final whistle. Italy and Ukraine have 14 points after 8 matches. However, Italy, who won 2-1 in the first match, finished second in the main stage.
England came into the main stage from the top of Group 'C' last night. England's 1-1 draw at North Macedonia is 20 points. However, Ukraine's hope of playing in the main stage of EURO does not end here. If they win the play-off match in March next year, they will get the ticket to Germany. The draw for the play-offs will take place on Thursday at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
