Ukraine‘s tears of despair turned to joy after qualification for the Euro 2024 soccer tournament was achieved with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Iceland in their playoff final played in a neutral but partisan Wroclaw Stadium in Poland on Tuesday.
Viktor Tsygankov and Mykhailo Mudryk scored second half goals as it was mission accomplished in a campaign where Ukraine have been forced to play ‘home’ fixtures in Slovakia, Czechia, Germany and Poland following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of the country that sparked a war which still rages.
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Albert Gudmundsson had put Iceland ahead in the first half but they surrendered possession and the initiative as they struggled to contain Ukraine for much of the contest.
It is a fourth straight visit to the continental finals for Ukraine who take their place in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, who they open their campaign against on June 17.