Euro 2020 qualifiers: Ukraine vs Portugal match report and key moments

Ukraine beat Portugal 2-1 in Kyiv in the Euro 2020 qualifier game on Monday night. The win saw Ukraine take an eight-point lead over second-placed Portugal in the Group B of Euro 2020 qualifiers. Cristiano Ronaldo hit his 700th career goal but failed to inspire Portugal to a comeback. Here's a look at the match report and key moments from the game.

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Ukraine vs Portugal team news

Fernando Santos made two changes to his side that beat Luxembourg 3-0 with Joao Mario and Goncalo Guedes coming in while Joao Felix was dropped to the bench. Andriy Shevchenko made three changes to his side that beat Lithuania on Saturday. Striker Yaremchuk being one of the incomings.

Euro 2020 qualifiers: Ukraine vs Portugal match report

Portugal began the early stages strongly but found themselves trailing within the first ten minutes after Yaremchuk found the back of the net from close range. Marlos' freekick started it all as it gave Sergey Krivtsov a free header, to which Rui Patricio made a fine save only to send it straight into the striker's path. Soon, Portugal found themselves exposed again as Vitalii Mykolenko made a good run down the left and he found an in-form Andriy Yarmolenko with an inch-perfect cross. Yarmolenko scored with a fine finish. Portugal did have chances of their own only to be denied by some neat defending by the Ukranian backline. Goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov was in fine form as he managed to keep his clean-sheet intact.  

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The second half saw Portugal attack with more intent as the introduction of Joao Felix injected a much-need threat in the attack. Portugal did pull one back after the referee awarded a penalty when Taros Stepanenko handled the ball and Ronaldo scored to make it 2-1. This came as a blow to Ukraine as Stepanenko was also sent-off for the same offence, having been booked earlier. 10-man Ukraine did manage to hold on to the scoreline, thanks to Pyatov making a host of saves denying Portugal an equaliser. Notably, he denied headers from Danilo Pereira and Cristiano Ronaldo right at the death. The game ended at 2-1 to Ukraine.

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Ukraine vs Portugal summary

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th senior goal as Portugal laboured to a 2-1 defeat in Kyiv. Ukraine secured their qualification in the Euro 2020 with the win, having conceded just twice in seven games. Meanwhile, Portugal have two games in-hand against the bottom teams to secure their Euro 2020 qualification. 

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