Today, on November 17 in Elbasan, the Ukraine youth national team played a friendly match against the home team, Albania's squad.

At the end of the first half, the Albanians earned a penalty kick from about 30 meters away from the goal, which was executed in two touches: "Metalist 1925" forward Hermir Rashica completed the combination practically on the goal line. Despite the friendly nature of the game, VAR technology was used — after a hint that the ball crossed the line, the referee confirmed the goal.

Photo by Andriy Garbovsky

The second half the Ukrainians started more actively, and in its latter part — after Stepnov's substitution — they switched to playing with two forwards. The closest to equalizing was Melnychenko, who shot from a turn on the goalkeeper line but aimed right where the goalkeeper stood. And already in stoppage time, the hosts doubled their lead — again from a set piece. A corner kick on the left flank ended with Doda's run along the goal line and a pass for Kotoy's strike. 2:0 — Albania's youth national team won.

Photo by Andriy Garbovsky

The Ukraine youth national team's next match will be in the qualification for Euro-2027 (U-21) on March 27 against Lithuania.

Photo by Andriy Garbovsky

Friendship Match

Albania (U-21) - Ukraine (U-21) 2:0 (1:0)

Goals: Rashica (38), Kotoy (90+5).

Albania (U-21): Simon, Fika, Bash, Rama, Drekaj, Kurti, Bruti (Doda, 66), Alili, Shehu, Fetay (c) (Kotoy, 85), Rashica (Tom, 66).

Ukraine (U-21): Dolhyi, Ogarkov (Korniychuk, 75), Khолод (Kysil, 66), Melnychenko (c), Gusiev (Krups'kyi, 46), Pastukh, Vashenko (Varfolomeev, 82), Tserenko (Krevsun, 46), Gusoл (Matveich, 46), Pyschur, Slesar (Stepanov, 75).

Warned: Krevsun (80), Stepanov (88).

November 17. Elbasan. "Elbasan-Arena".