Ukraine secured a victory in their first official match under the guidance of Italian coach Andrea Maldera. A precise finish from Daniil Sikan just before halftime proved decisive in a 1-0 win over Hungary in Budapest.
Both Hungary and Ukraine were considered the main contenders for first place in their UEFA Nations League group, making this fixture a crucial encounter even without political undertones.
The hosts started the brighter of the two sides. In the 11th minute, after a cross from Dominik Szoboszlai, Loic Nego (transliteration from Лукач) struck a volley from the center of the penalty area that rattled the crossbar of Dmytro Riznyk‘s goal. Ukraine responded with a shot from Sikan, who had intercepted the ball in midfield and advanced close to the penalty area. This period also saw a notable chance for Bolla, who was left unmarked in front of goal, but fortunately for Ukraine, his shot flew over the crossbar.
On the 38th minute, a major error by Illya Zabarnyi nearly cost Ukraine dearly, but Mykolenko came to the rescue by sliding in to clear the ball off the line as it was rolling into an empty net. Four minutes later, Ukraine launched a decisive attack. Heorhiy Sudakov delivered a cross from the left flank, and Daniil Sikan broke free from the defenders to head the ball into the net, giving Ukraine the lead.
As expected, the second half turned into a positional siege on Ukraine’s goal. Despite dominating possession and territorial advantage, Hungary failed to create meaningful chances. In fact, Dmytro Riznyk was called into action only once, in the 86th minute, when he saved a shot aimed at the top corner from Yurek. Meanwhile, Ukraine looked to exploit Hungary’s mistakes with vertical passes. A golden opportunity arose for Krasnopir, who was set up one-on-one by Ocheretko, but the Ukrainian top scorer in the UPL was unable to beat the Hungarian goalkeeper.
In stoppage time, Nazarenko was shown a second yellow card, reducing Ukraine to ten men. A brief scuffle followed, resulting in two players from each team receiving yellow cards. However, Hungary never managed to create a chance to salvage the game.
The match ended 1-0 in favor of Ukraine, but there was no time to celebrate. The “Blue and Yellow” will travel to face Georgia away in the second round on September 28.
UEFA Nations League 2026-27
Hungary – Ukraine 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Sikan 42 (0:1)
Hungary: Tot Bo.; Csinger (Süch, 85); Orban V.; Kerkez M.; Bolla; Vitalis (Tot M., 46); Szoboszlai; Schäfer; Chongvai (Tot R., 66); Lukács (Barány, 46); Redzic (Yurek, 62)
Substitutions: Barány (from 46); Tot M. (from 46); Yurek (from 62); Tot R. (from 66); Süch (from 85)
Reserves: Peci; Gundel-Takács; Such; Markgraf; Oshvat; Nagy Zs.; Tot A.
Yellow cards: Schäfer 5; Barány 83; Kerkez M. 94; Szoboszlai 94
Ukraine: Riznyk D.; Matviyenko N.; Krupskiy (Bondar V., 59); Zabarnyi; Mykolenko; Brazhko (Nazaryna, 46); Sudakov (Drambaev, 91); Tsygankov; Ocheretko; Vanat (Nazarenko Al-r, 59); Sikan (Krasnopir, 66)
Substitutions: Nazaryna (from 46); Bondar V. (from 59); Nazarenko Al-r (from 59 to 92); Krasnopir (from 66); Drambaev (from 91)
Reserves: Yermakov G.; Trubin; Yarmolenko; Sarapiy; Khlan M.; Zubkov; Ponomarenko M.
Yellow cards: Brazhko 21; Krupskiy 49; Nazarenko Al-r 71, 92; Matviyenko N. 94; Tsygankov 94
Red cards: Nazarenko Al-r 92
