The Ukrainian national football team lost to Iraq in a historic match at the start of the 2024 Olympics. Video.

Ukraine's Olympic football team suffered an unexpected defeat against Iraq in the 1st round of the 2024 Olympic Games. The match at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne ended with a score of 1-2. For the first time in history, Ukraine took part in the Olympic football tournament.

Having missed a dangerous moment in the opening game, when Iraqi players ran out 4 to 2 on Fesyun's goal, Ukraine completely seized the initiative in the second half.

Constantly moving around, our compatriots were constantly looking for free areas on the field to open up the tight Iraqi defense. The opponent went all out on defense, forcing them to play the ball for a long time on the outskirts of the penalty area, but without making any serious progress.

Iraq did not even try to escape into a counterattack, which is why the first 45 minutes turned into almost one constant attack by our players.

Ukraine outplayed the opponent in all statistical indicators, but failed to translate this advantage into goals in the first half.

After the break, the Yellow and Blues were able to unseal the Iraqi goal. After the free kick was taken, Batagov scored, the goalkeeper was able to react, the ball bounced to Rybchynsky, who left no chance for the Iraqi goalkeeper.

The winning score lasted 4 minutes. The Iraqi national team hardly earned a penalty in their first attack. For some reason, Maksym Taloverov put his hands on the opponent's back in his penalty area. The Iraqi player flew off like a catapult, giving the Sudanese referee a reason to blow the whistle on the violation of the rules.

Ayman Hussein scored an 11-meter penalty kick, beating Kyrylo Fesyun.

This episode psychologically nailed the Ukrainians, who could not recover and return to the dynamics they had demonstrated throughout the first half.

In the 75th minute, Ali Jasim, who came on as a substitute, shocked Ukrainian fans by scoring the most illogical goal possible.

Iraq U-23 - Ukraine U-23 2: 1 (0: 0, 2: 1)

Goals: 0: 1 - 53 Rubchynsky, 1: 1 - 57, penalty Hussein, 2: 1 - 75 Ali Yasim.

Ukraine U-23 - Fesyun, Krupsky, Taloverov (Salyuk, 73), Batagov, Martyniuk, Khlan, Bragaru (Sych, 73), Rubchynsky, Mykhailenko (Fedor, 73), Kryskiv (Ocheretko, 79), Sikan (Krasnopir, 80).

Cautions: Kryskiv (26), Taloverov (56), Bragaru (56), Razetim (90+13).

Ruslan Rotan's team will play their next match on July 27 against Morocco. The Africans won a scandalous victory over Argentina in the 1st round.

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