Head coach Dmitro Mykhaylenko made six changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous match against Panama. The best scorer of the blue-and-yellow team, Hennadiy Synchuk (2 goals), missed the game due to a suspension.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

In the first half, both teams played cautiously, focusing heavily on defense. Most dangerous moments arose from set pieces. For example, in the last minute of the half, after a corner kick, Gusev headed the ball, and then Paraguayan defenders blocked two attempts by Kysil from outside the penalty area.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

During halftime, the coaching staff of Ukraine's national team made one substitution. Just 30 seconds after resuming play, the fresh Derkach scored a goal. On the 69th minute, Paraguay launched a quick counterattack and equalized. The winning goal came in the 80th minute: Derkach outmaneuvered two opponents on the left flank and passed to Ponomarenko. Matvii took control of the ball and, from outside the penalty area, struck it low into the corner — 2:1!

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Thanks to this victory, Ukraine's national team accumulated seven points and secured first place in the group, advancing to the knockout stage. In the round of 16, blue-and-yellow will face one of four teams that finished third in their respective groups.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

U-20 World Cup 2025 (Group B)

Ukraine — Paraguay — 2:1 (0:0)

Goals: Derkach (46), Ponomarenko (80) — Mingo (69).

Ukraine (U-20): Krapivtsov, Gusev, Melnychenko (c), Kysil, Katrych, Shevchenko (Karaman, 90), Vashchenko (Budko, 77), Krevsun (Panchenko, 63), Dytiar (Derkach, 46), Shakh, Pishkur (Ponomarenko, 63).

Coach: Dmitro Mykhaylenko.

Paraguay (U-20): Insfraan, Caseres (Duarte, 89), Balbuena, Maidana, Kintana (c), Barudja, Jimenez (Gomez, 63), Alfonso (Fernandez, 46), Caballero, Mingo, Villalba (Aguayo, 63).

Coach: Antolin Alcaraz.

Yellow cards: Panchenko (82) — Balbuena (67), Caseres (71).

Referee: Khalid Saleh Al Turaisi (Saudi Arabia).

October 3, 2025. Santiago, Chile. National Julio Martinez Pradanos Stadium.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Group B

September 27, 2025. South Korea — Ukraine — 1:2

September 28, 2025. Paraguay — Panama — 3:2

September 30, 2025. Panama — Ukraine — 1:1

October 1, 2025. South Korea — Paraguay — 0:0

October 3, 2025. Panama — South Korea — 1:2

October 3, 2025. Ukraine — Paraguay — 2:1

Final Standings