✅Ukraine✅Over 1.5✅ Ukraine were unable to replicate their efforts from Euro 2012 and win their opening group game, as they came up short against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Sunday.
After a frantic yet goalless first half, Dutch captain Georginio Wijnaldum pounced on a loose ball to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute, before Wout Weghorst's first-time finish from a tight angle doubled their lead six minutes later.
Ukraine were seemingly heading for defeat; however, Shevchenko's men had other ideas. With 15 minutes remaining, a ******* left-footed strike from Andriy Yarmolenko, cutting in from the right flank, pulled one back for the Yellow and Blue before a powerful header from Roman Yaremchuk completed the comeback four minutes later.
The 16,000 Dutch fans in the Johan Cruijff ArenA were silenced heading into the final 10 minutes, but right wing-back Denzel Dumfries ensured they were to roar once more as his 85th-minute header from Nathan Ake's cross sealed all three points for Frank De Boer's side.
Despite defeat, Ukraine can take positives from their opening match. Going toe-to-toe with one of Europe's top nations is no mean feat and their fighting spirit to get back into the game will have pleased Shevchenko.
Ukraine will, however, need to claim something against Euro 2020's lowest-ranked side North Macedonia if they are to keep their hopes of securing a top-two finish in Group C alive.
The Yellow and Blue, who will be the favourites heading into Thursday's clash, have only ever faced the Red Lynxes four times in their history, winning their last two encounters in 2014 and 2015 without conceding a goal. We say: Ukraine 3-1 North Macedonia Ukraine have failed to score in just two of their last 22 international matches across all competitions, while North Macedonia have only failed to score in one of their last 16 games.
Goals are to be expected in Thursday's clash, which is a crucial game for both sides if they wish to reach the knockout stage.
Although the Red Lynxes are sure to put up a valiant fight, we think Shevchenko's men have that extra quality in the final third to secure all three points in Bucharest.
✅Ukraine✅Over 1.5✅
Ukraine were unable to replicate their efforts from Euro 2012 and win their opening group game, as they came up short against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Sunday.
After a frantic yet goalless first half, Dutch captain Georginio Wijnaldum pounced on a loose ball to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute, before Wout Weghorst's first-time finish from a tight angle doubled their lead six minutes later.
Ukraine were seemingly heading for defeat; however, Shevchenko's men had other ideas. With 15 minutes remaining, a ******* left-footed strike from Andriy Yarmolenko, cutting in from the right flank, pulled one back for the Yellow and Blue before a powerful header from Roman Yaremchuk completed the comeback four minutes later.
The 16,000 Dutch fans in the Johan Cruijff ArenA were silenced heading into the final 10 minutes, but right wing-back Denzel Dumfries ensured they were to roar once more as his 85th-minute header from Nathan Ake's cross sealed all three points for Frank De Boer's side.
Despite defeat, Ukraine can take positives from their opening match. Going toe-to-toe with one of Europe's top nations is no mean feat and their fighting spirit to get back into the game will have pleased Shevchenko.
Ukraine will, however, need to claim something against Euro 2020's lowest-ranked side North Macedonia if they are to keep their hopes of securing a top-two finish in Group C alive.
The Yellow and Blue, who will be the favourites heading into Thursday's clash, have only ever faced the Red Lynxes four times in their history, winning their last two encounters in 2014 and 2015 without conceding a goal.
We say: Ukraine 3-1 North Macedonia
Ukraine have failed to score in just two of their last 22 international matches across all competitions, while North Macedonia have only failed to score in one of their last 16 games.
Goals are to be expected in Thursday's clash, which is a crucial game for both sides if they wish to reach the knockout stage.
Although the Red Lynxes are sure to put up a valiant fight, we think Shevchenko's men have that extra quality in the final third to secure all three points in Bucharest.