Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior were celebrating on Tuesday night as they helped Ukraine and Poland reach Euro 2024 this summer via the play-offs.
Alex’s side had to come from behind to beat Iceland 2-1, after Albert Gudmundsson netted the opening goal in Wroclaw as our defender watched on from the bench. However, after the break Viktor Tsygankov equalised, and after Alex was introduced on 64 minutes, Ukraine found a winner through Mykhailo Mudryk’s strike six minutes from time.
Their qualification is all the more impressive given Ukraine were forced to play their home qualifiers in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Poland due to the ongoing war with Russia, and being drawn in a group alongside England and Italy.
After celebrating post-match with thousands of passionate Ukrainian refugees who now call Poland their home, Alex said: “I am very proud to be a Ukrainian, to be of the same blood as those who are now giving their lives for our freedom. We need to talk about it, shout about it every day. This is the only way we can win. It was one of our most emotional games.
“It is an amazing feeling. I am very happy because it is another dream come true. A big thank you to our fans, they helped us through these difficult times amazingly.”
Alex can now look forward to competing in Germany next summer, with Ukraine taking a spot in Group E alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.
Jakub also punched his ticket to the finals after Poland beat Wales on penalties after a goalless draw in Cardiff.
He played all 120 minutes of a nervy contest, helping to keep the home side at bay and register a clean sheet to force a shootout, with Wales’ Dan James missing the crucial kick after the first nine had all been converted. Poland will now tackle France, the Netherlands and Austria at the finals.
Since making his debut back in June 2022, Jakub has played in all 21 of his country’s matches, and been on the field for all-but three minutes of them.
There were also a host of Gunners who were in friendly action. Declan Rice captained England on the occasion of his 50th cap, as the Three Lions snatched a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Leandro Trossard’s Belgium.
Both players started at Wembley, with Leo coming off after an hour and Declan remaining on the field for the entirety, as Jude Bellingham netted in the fifth minute of stoppage time to deny the Red Devils victory. Aaron Ramsdale was an unused sub for Gareth Southgate's side.
Two more of our players donned their national team’s armbands. Martin Odegaard's Norway drew 1-1 with Slovakia in Oslo, but were 1-0 ahead when he departed after 79 minutes. However, Ondrej Duda equalised three minutes from time to ensure Norway ended the window winless.
On his 29th cap, Karl Hein skippered Estonia for the first time and was involved in an eventful game in Finland as his side lost 2-1. Karl saved a Fredik Jensen penalty after 30 minutes but couldn’t prevent the rebound from being netted, and eight minutes later a shot cannoned off his crossbar and struck him before landing in the net. Estonia pulled a goal back but they are now winless in 13 matches.
William Saliba won his 13th cap as France beat Chile 3-2 in Marseille, and played the full 90 minutes during an entertaining affair that saw former Gunner Olivier Giroud net what proved to be the winner.
France had previously recovered from conceding an early goal to lead 2-1 at the break, before Giroud netted a third. Dario Osorio got Chile back into it and they threatened an equaliser in the last minute when Ben Brereton-Diaz raced goalwards, but an excellent sliding challenge by William snuffed out the chance and ensured his side won.
Germany completed a successful international window by following up their win against France by beating the Netherlands in Frankfurt. Kai Havertz started up front and played 73 minutes as Niclas Fullkrug’s 85th-minute goal settled the game.
Meanwhile, David Raya was an unused sub as Spain drew 3-3 with Brazil.
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