Ukraine win complicates Italy qualification for Euro 2024
Ukraine have beaten North Macedonia 2-0 in Prague, so have temporarily climbed ahead of Italy in the EURO 2024 qualifying group.
It was a tough test for Ukraine, who took the lead through Georgiy Sudakov after 30 minutes and only secured the points deep into stoppages thanks to Oleksandr Karavaiev running from the edge of his own penalty area.
That means Ukraine are now in second place with 10 points from six games, whereas Italy have seven points and have only played four fixtures.
North Macedonia are trailing in fourth with seven points after six matches and Malta are still on zero.
England are the leaders after 13 points from five games.
Italy host Malta this evening, then face England at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night.
The top two sides in the group will qualify automatically for the EURO 2024 tournament in Germany.
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As they beat Ukraine 2-1 at San Siro on September 12, it means Italy have the upper hand in the head-to-head record.
That is the first distinction between teams, followed by goal difference in the head-to-heads, then goals scored in these head-to-heads, then overall goal difference.
Italy’s remaining fixtures after Tuesday are at home to North Macedonia on November 17 and away to Ukraine, which will be played in Leverkusen, on November 20.