Dmitry Mykhaylenko's wards took the initiative from the first minutes and moved the game to their opponent's half. The active flank work of the blue-and-yellow quickly started producing sharp moments. First, Yaroslav Karman made a "shot" after a combination play, breaking through from an acute angle — the ball flew over the crossbar!

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

And just three minutes later, Ukrainians turned their advantage into a goal. A well-executed combination play from the left flank to the right ended with Karman's pass to Synchuks. Gennadiy positioned himself in the center and powerfully shot from the penalty line straight down the far corner — 0:1! Three minutes later, and the score was doubled. The attack began with goalkeeper Krapivcov, then Shah and Vernattus played out the ball on the left flank, after which Daniel lofted it into the goalmouth. There, the tall Pishchur leaped over two defenders and headed the ball into the net — 0:2!

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

The Ukrainians continued to control the game and maintain their advantage, but towards the end of the first half there were alarming moments. On the 37th minute, South Korea's coach Lee Chang-Won used a new rule and challenged the main referee to review a contentious episode in Ukraine's penalty area. However, Costa Rican referee Keylor Herrera, after reviewing video footage, stood by his decision — Vernattus acted within the rules.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

Shortly after, one of South Korea's set pieces ended in a dangerous collision for the ball between Krapivcov and Kirychok. Medical staff quickly provided assistance, and fortunately, there were no serious consequences.

On the 44th minute, South Koreans launched a quick attack that culminated with Ti-Won facing off one-on-one with Krapivcov. The forward dribbled past the goalkeeper, but in the last moment Gusev managed to clear the ball from the goal line! And in the added time of the first half, Ukrainians had another chance to score. First, Synchuk shot from an acute angle but hit a defender, and after Pishchur's follow-up, the ball flew over the crossbar.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

During halftime, South Koreans made three substitutions and at the start of the second half were very close to reducing the score. On the 52nd minute, after a set piece play, Sunwoo scored with an accurate header in his fall. However, after reviewing video footage, the referee canceled the goal for offside.

Overall, the second half was more evenly matched, and Ukrainians no longer had such a noticeable advantage. On the 61st minute, Artur Shah could have significantly eased his team's task: coming one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he decided not to shoot and instead shot from the penalty line but straight into the goalkeeper.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

And on the 80th minute, opponents finally made use of a set piece — this time without any fouls. After a corner kick from the left flank, Moon-Joon scored and reduced the deficit. The six added minutes were particularly tense: South Koreans executed five consecutive corners, but Krapivcov was flawless, confidently coming out to claim the ball. The goalkeeper's series of saves ended with a foul on the side of the opponent's forward.

2-1 — Ukraine's national team starts the World Cup with a win! Next match for blue-and-yellow will be on Tuesday, September 30 against Panama's national team. Kick-off at 23:00.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

U-20 World Cup. Group B

South Korea — Ukraine — 1:2 (0:2)

Goals: Moon-Joon (80) — Synchuk (13), Pishchur (16).

South Korea: Hong, Lee, Sunwoo, Min-Ha, Jung-Yong (Bi Hyun, 46), Byung-Wook (Ga-On Baek, 88), Chang, Sen-Gu, Min-Gu (Son Seo-Min, 46), Kim (Moon-Joon, 46), Ti-Won (c).

Coach: Lee Chang-Won.

Ukraine U-20: Krapivcov, Gusev, Melnychenko (c), Kirychok, Vernattus (Katrich, 72), Synchuk, Budko (Vashtenko, 83), Krevsun, Shah (Derkach, 72), Karman (Kysil, 90+1), Pishchur (Ponomarenko, 90+1).

Coach: Dmitro Mykhaylenko.

Yellow cards: Synchuk (51), Vashtenko (84).

Referee: Keylor Herrera (Costa Rica).

September 27. Chile. Valparaiso. Elias Figueroa Brander Stadium.

Schedule of Ukraine's national team matches in Group B

09/30/2025. Panama — Ukraine (23:00) 

10/03/2025. Ukraine — Paraguay (23:00) 

Two best teams from each group and four of the six third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage. The tournament will proceed according to a standard format.

Standings