Ukrainian football team's victory over Albania puts it one step closer to elite division in Nations League
Photo: REUTERS / Florion Goga
The sixth round of the UEFA Nations League came to a head on November 19 at Tirana's Kombëtare stadium, with the Ukrainian national team triumphing over Albania with a score of 2–1. This result secured the Ukrainians' second-place spot in the group and ensured their participation in the play-off in spring 2025.
The Champion publication reported that.
Serhii Rebrov's team demonstrated its focus on victory from the very beginning.
- Only 5 minutes into the game, Oleksandr Zinchenko got the first goal, brilliantly shooting it into the bottom corner of the net off a rebound.
After scoring the goal, the defender and Yaremchuk took the national team's shirt onto the field. Instead of the usual number, "1000" was printed on it. This was a reminder to the world that November 19 marks the 1000th day since Russia began its full-scale war against Ukraine.
- Five minutes later, Roman Yaremchuk doubled the Ukrainians' advantage, hitting the goal with a header after a precise cross from Yukhym Konoplia.
Photo: UAF / Dan Balashov
During half-time, the score was 2:0 in favor of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic also had a 2:0 lead against Georgia, placing Ukraine second in the real-time group standings.
The second half intensified the tension. The Albanians, determined to avoid losing, became more aggressive.
- In the 74th minute, Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin violated the rules in the penalty area against Myrto Uzuni, which led to a penalty.
- Erjan Bajrami converted the penalty, reducing the gap to a minimum.
The last 15 minutes of the match were full of struggle, but the Ukrainians managed to hold on to the victory.
Photo: REUTERS / Florion Goga
- In the 91st minute, Ukraine had two close calls: Sudakov scored, but Strakosha saved it. Nazarenko had a shot at the goal, but the goalkeeper made another save. Ultimately, the final whistle confirmed Ukraine's 2-1 victory.
Thanks to Georgia's parallel defeat by the Czech Republic (1:2), the Ukrainian national team finished the group stage in second place, gaining the right to play in the transitional play-off for access to the elite division of the League of Nations.
Albania, which lost the decisive match, is directly relegated to Division C.
Ukraine's next stage is the playoffs in March 2025, when Serhii Rebrov's team's opponent will be determined.
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It is worth mentioning that the initial encounter between the two teams in September, which also marked the beginning of the tournament, resulted in a 1:2 loss. Then, Ukraine accumulated five points, enduring one more defeat, drawing twice, and securing one victory.
Thus, the Ukrainian national team approached the last round in the standings of Group B1. The meeting with Albania in the sixth round was crucial for Ukraine because, in case of victory, Ukraine could claim second place in the group, and in case of defeat or draw – for direct relegation to Division C from fourth position.
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