Ukraine face play-offs after Spain defeat
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Updated 12/10/2015 at 21:40 GMT
Euro 2016 Group C qualifier, Kiev – Ukraine 0 Spain 1 (Mario Gaspar 22)
Spain's Mario Gaspar (2nd L, front) celebrates his goal with team mates during their Euro 2016 group C qualifying soccer match against Ukraine at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, October 12, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenk
Image credit: Reuters
Ukraine will face a play-off match to decide their Euro 2015 fate after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Spain.
The home side went into the match knowing a good victory was likely required with Slovakia heading to Luxembourg and second on goal difference.
And Ukraine created plenty of chances but found Spain goalkeeper David de Gea in inspirational form, the Manchester United number 1 making excellent saves, before Mario Gaspar headed his side in front with his first international goal.
Skipper Cesc Fabregas had a penalty saved on his 100th international appearance before De Gea continued to thwart Ukraine with several more saves.
But with Slovakia beating Luxembourg 4-2, even a narrow victory would have counted for little.
KEY MOMENTS
4’ – CHANCE ROTAN: He forges into the box but shoots wide of both the goal and the waiting Yarmolenko.
9’ – CHANCE FABREGAS: The skipper should open the scoring on his 100th appearance for Spain but fires just over the bar after Isco plays him in.
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Ukraine's Denys Garmash (R) goes for a header with Spain's Cesc Fabregas during their Euro 2016 group C qualifying soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, October 12, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Image credit: Reuters
15’ – GREAT DOUBLE SAVE: A loose ball from Etxeita is pounced on by Kravets and he has his shot saved by De Gea before the keeper again stretches out a right boot to deny Rotan.
22’ – GOAL! Ukraine 0-1 Spain: Nolito sets Thiago clear down the left and his cross is headed home for his fist international goal by Mario Gaspar.
24’ – PENALTY SAVED! A clumsy challenge from Kucher brings down Fabregas but his spot kick is excellently saved by Pyatov, his outstretched right arm deflecting the ball over the bar.
27’ – CHANCE UKRAINE! An awkward knock down saved from De Gea is pounced upon by Garmash but he heads over the bar. Perhaps should have scored.
35’ – CHANCE SPAIN: Unconvincing keeping from Pyatov as he flaps at a cross and is lucky that Nolito miscued his shot straight at him.
51’ – YARMOLENKO HITS POST: He cuts in on the left and the ball deflects of the outside of the post and out for a goal kick. De Gea had it covered.
57’ – DE GEA SAVE: Another cross from Ukraine is headed goalward by Kravets and it’s another leaping save from De Gea.
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Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea (R) makes a save on Ukraine's Ruslan Rotan during the Euro 2016 group C qualifying soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, October 12, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Image credit: Reuters
89’ – DE GEA SAVE: A shot from Rybalka goes through a host of bodies and the keeper gets down really well to save, slightly unsighted.
KEY STATS
Cesc Fabregas makes his 100th international appearance.
Excluding shootouts, Fabregas has now missed all of his last four penalties for Spain.
Ukraine's record in four competitive senior meetings with Spain is W0 D1 L3. Álvaro Morata scored the only goal on 28 minutes as Spain defeated Ukraine 1-0 in the sides' first Group C encounter.
TALKING POINT
The form of De Gea. Ukraine did everything they could but score and found an inspirational keeper in fine form.
MAN OF THE MATCH
David de Gea (Spain). There would have been few complaints had Ukraine won this, given the chances they created. But De Gea underlined his credentials as arguably the best keeper on the planet in current form.
PLAYER RATINGS
Ukraine: Pyatov 6, Kucher 7, Shevchuk 6, Fedetskiy 6, Rakitskiy 6, Stepanenko 6, Konoplyanka 7, Rotan 7, Garmash 7, Yarmolenko 7, Kravets 7 SUBS: Zinchenko, Seleznyov.
Spain: De Gea 8, Azpilicueta 6, San José 6, Etxeita 6, Nacho 6, Mario Gaspar 7, Thiago Alcántara 7, Fàbregas 6, Isco 7, Paco Alcacer 6, Nolito 6 SUBS: Jordi Alba 6, Busquets 6, Mata 6.
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