Ukraine's Under-21 team kicked off their Euro 2026 qualifying campaign with a win
This was reported by the Ukrainian Football Association.
The match was decided by a single goal scored early in the second half. Soroka scored the winning goal in the 47th minute, allowing the Ukrainians to secure their first three points. Despite pressure from the British side, Mykhailenko’s men held on to their lead and put in a solid defensive performance. In addition to Northern Ireland, our national team’s rivals in the battle for a place at Euro 2024 are the tournament hosts, Romania, and the national team of Kazakhstan.
The victory in the first round allowed the Ukrainians to establish themselves among the leaders of Group 5. According to the competition regulations, only the winners of the seven groups in the elite round will qualify to join the tournament hosts, Wales, in the final stage. The qualifying matches will continue until the end of March, and the draw for the final stage of the continental championship is scheduled for mid-April.
At present, the youth team is demonstrating consistent form and a readiness to fight for a place at the major international tournament. A successful start in Romania lays the necessary psychological foundation for the upcoming decisive matches against Kazakhstan and Romania. Fans are hoping that the players born in 2007 will be able to replicate the success of their senior counterparts and represent Ukraine at the 2026 European Under-19 Championship.
