GLASGOW: Artem Dovbyk scored in added time in extra time as Ukraine edged out 10-man Sweden at Hampden to set up a Euro 2020 quarter-final with England.
Oleksandr Zinchenko smashed Ukraine in front with a powerful drive but a deflected shot from Emil Forsberg levelled matters before half-time.
Sweden lost Marcus Danielson to a red card in extra time after a VAR check.
And, with penalties looming, Dovbyk – one of 12 substitutes used – headed a dramatic winner from close-range.
Ukraine had crept through from the group phase with three points and a negative goal difference, while Sweden topped their section with seven points, ahead of Spain.
However, the match in Glasgow was an even contest throughout, with both sides out on their feet by the final whistle.
With so many changes in personnel and a sending off, there was no rhythm or shape in extra time.
The Swedes were twice temporarily down to nine men after head knocks and Ukraine replacement Artem Besedin lasted just 10 minutes before he was on the receiving end of Danielson’s high challenge.
The Sweden defender, who got his foot to a dropping ball before catching his opponent, was initially booked but referee Daniele Orsato upgraded to red after reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action after Danielson’s 99th-minute dismissal until Zinchenko swung in a cross from the left and Dovbyk slid in to score his first international goal.
Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko switched to a back three, allowing Zinchenko to operate as a left wing-back, and his captain revelled in the role, setting up the winner and cracking in the opener on 27 minutes.
Andriy Yarmolenko found the Manchester City player with a cute outside-of-the-boot pass and Zinchenko thundered in an angled shot that Robin Olsen got a hand to but could not keep out.
Forsberg then enjoyed a slice of fortune as his deflected shot from 22 yards flew into the net just before the interval for his fourth goal of the tournament.
But the impressive midfielder’s luck was out when he twice struck the woodwork in a lively second-half spell, with those shots following an effort from Ukraine’s Serhiy Sydorchuk, which clipped a post.
Ukraine goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan did well to push away a strike from Dejan Kulusevski and the same player was in behind in the 89th-minute but the ball would not sit for his weaker right foot, allowing defender Illya Zabarnyi to slide in and block.
The quotes
Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine coach: “Both teams played very well. It was an interesting match. Neither side wanted to lose so we got this drama at the end. With this performance and commitment, our team has deserved the love of the whole country. We knew how our team should play from the first minutes. We knew who could strengthen us [during the game]. The plan we had developed has worked well.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ukraine defender: “It’s a historic achievement. My advice to everyone: let’s celebrate, we live only once and we may never repeat these moments again. I’m very proud that we showed our country and the whole of Europe that we can achieve our goals.”
Emil Forsberg, Sweden midfielder: “It’s rough. I thought we were the better team, we conceded an unnecessary goal and then hit the post and the crossbar. We deserved better, but that wasn’t to be today. Of course it’s tough to play extra time outnumbered. We battled as a team and promised to not give up. Then with the last play, a cross and a header, they score. It’s incredibly tough.”
The teams
Sweden: Olsen – Lustig (Krafth 83), Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson (Bengtsson 83) – S Larsson (Claesson 97), Olsson (Helander 101), Ekdal, Forsberg – Kulusevski (Quaison 97), Isak (Berg 97).
Ukraine: Bushchan – Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Kryvstov, Matviyenko – Sydorchuk (Bezus 118), Stepanenko (Makarenko 94), Zinchenko – Yarmolenko (Dovbyk 106), Yaremchuk (Besedin 91; Tsygankov 101), Shaparenko (Malinovskyi 61).
Referee: Orsato (Ita).
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