Fans think Ukraine were robbed of a place at Euro 2024 after they were denied a last-minute penalty against Italy.
The two teams started the night level on points, knowing that whoever came out on top would follow England into the pot for next year's tournament. Italy had the advantage given their superior goal difference, which meant Ukraine needed to win to go through - and they probably would have done had luck been on their side!
Deep into stoppage time with the score level at 0-0, Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk went over in the box after nipping in ahead of Italy's Bryan Cristante. Replays showed there was contact, but neither the referee nor the VARs felt it was enough to warrant a penalty.
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"They've absolutely robbed Ukraine there," one supporter raged on X. A second labelled it a "blatant penalty", while a third fumed: "Ukraine getting the Ireland 2009 treatment here," referencing Thierry Henry's infamous handball which allowed him to set up William Gallas' late goal which took France to the 2010 World Cup instead of the Irish.
The match commentator appeared to agree, noting while watching the replay: "Is there any contact here? Ooh, there is! Mudryk might leave his foot in here, does he leave it hanging? You know I'm not sure he does. I think that's clumsy from Cristante."
Was it a penalty? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko could be seen remonstrating with the fourth official after the incident, but his protests fell on deaf ears. Italy then held on for the final few seconds to seal passage to Germany, where they'll defend their crown having won the competition in 2021 (Euro 2020).
Ukraine still have a chance to qualify via the play-offs, though they'll feel mightily aggrieved not to have gained automatic passage after losing just two of their eight qualifying matches.
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Elsewhere, Wales missed out on an automatic spot at the Euros, but like Ukraine they will have the chance to get there via the play-offs. Ireland and Northern Ireland, meanwhile, were both knocked out of contention earlier in the campaign, while Scotland, like England, sealed passage to the tournament last month.
