Ukraine 0 Austria 1 LIVE REACTION: Baumgartner the hero as Austrians book their place in Euro 2020 last-16
AUSTRIA are through to the last-16 of Euro 2020 after a hard-fought win over Ukraine.
Christoph Baumgartner was the hero for the Austrians, poking home from a corner in the first-half.
Ukraine must now wait and see if they are one of the best third-placed sides.
- Final score: Ukraine 0-1 Austria
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ONE TO WATCH
FourFourTwo magazine picked Oleksandr Zinchenko as Ukraine’s key man ahead of the tournament.
The publication wrote: “Though [Andriy] Yarmolenko is Ukraine’s most talked-about star, Zinchenko has become integral to this team.
“A left-back for Manchester City, the 24-year-old is a central midfield general for his country, making up for his slight build with quick thinking and precise passing.
“More than that, he’s a leader.”
.Credit: Getty PLAYING FOR A DRAW?
Austria have insisted they will not consider the option of playing for a draw against Ukraine.
Back in the 1982 World Cup, Austria lost 1-0 to West Germany in a result that saw both nations through to the next stage at the expense of Algeria.
An early West Germany goal was followed by a game in which neither team tried to score, in a match dubbed the “Disgrace of Gijon”.
“I don't think that it comes down to that,” said the Austrian Football Association president, Leo Windtner. “In every respect it would be the wrong tactic to go out and play for a point.
“The best thing would be to not even discuss it. That is history. It does not call out for repetition.”
Action from the "Disgrace of Gijon" FODA FOCUSED
While a draw might be enough for Austria to go through, their coach Franco Foda insists only a win will do.
He said: "We don’t know if four points would be enough.
“It’s important that we go into the game from the first minute with the absolute intention of winning: that’s our job.
“[Reaching the round of 16] would mean a lot to us all.
“First and foremost, we are playing for our country.
“We will do everything we can to achieve this goal. That’s a big challenge for us and something that should spur them on."
.Credit: Getty
SHEVCHENKO PREDICTS TIGHT ENCOUNTER
Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko is expecting a tough test for his men.
He said: "Austria are a solid team with quality players.
“They are a compact and athletic side, with a distinctive style.
“We have huge respect for them and are expecting a good match.
“Both teams will play to win, even though we know a point will be enough for us.
“But you won't go far at this tournament with such a mentality; we will be playing only for a victory."
.Credit: Getty SWITCHING IT UP
Austria make two changes as Andreas Ulmer and Michael Gregoritsch make way for Florian Grillitsch and the shy and retiring Marko Arnautovic in what looks like a 4-3-2-1 formation.
There’s just one change for Ukraine and it comes in midfield where Serhiy Sydorchuk replaces Taras Stepanenko. Ukraine are expected to line-up in a 4-3-3 formation.
UKRAINE SUBS:
12 Pyatov, 23 Trubin, 2 Sobol, 3 Sudakov, 4 Kryvtsov, 6 Stepanenko, 11 Marlos, 14 Makarenjo, 15 Tsygankov, 19 Besedin, 24 Tymchyk, 26 Dovbyk
AUSTRIA SUBS:
1 Schlager, 12 Pervan, 2 Ulmer, 5 Posch, 6 Ilsanker, 11 Gregoritsch, 15 Lienhart, 16 Trimmel, 17 Schaub, 18 Schopf, 20 Onisiwo, 25 Kalajdzic
UKRAINE XI:
1 Bushchan; 21 Karavayev, 22 Matviyenko, 13 Zabarnyi, 16 Mykolenko; 17 Zinchenko, 5 Sydorchuk, 10 Shaparenko; 8 Malinovskiy, 9 Yaremchuk, 7 Yarmolenko
AUSTRIA XI:
13 Bachmann; 21 Lainer, 3 Dragovic, 4 Hinteregger, 8 Alaba (c); 23 Schlager, 24 Laimer, 10 Grillitsch; 19 Baumgartner, 9 Sabitzer; 7 Arnautovic
THE TEAMSHEETS ARE IN!
THE STORY SO FAR
Ukraine followed a heart-breaking defeat against the Netherlands in a five-goal opener by holding on to beat North Macedonia despite an Ezgjan Alioski penalty and late spot-kick miss from Ruslan Malinovskiy.
A draw today would suffice for the Ukrainians to finish runners-up behind the Dutch - but Austria, who followed up their success over North Macedonia with defeat by the Oranje, will pip them if they win.
Austria beat North Macedonia 3-1 in their opener.
TEAM NEWS
Ukraine are missing Oleksandr Zubkov after he went off injured against the Netherlands.
They could also be without injured defender Denys Popov, who has a calf problem.
The Dynamo Kiev player was on the bench for his side's loss to the Netherlands and missed the second match against North Macedonia.
Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko said: "There's a high chance he [Popov] won't be playing."
Austria welcome back Marko Arnautovic from a one-game ban after his controversial celebration against North Macedonia.
Austria coach Franco Foda has already confirmed that the forward will start against Ukraine.
“We decided that Marko will play from the start,” he said.
“That means our opponents know that now and can prepare for it, but we are happy that he can play again.
“But we are not dependent only on Marko. He has his ability and quality, but many players have to take on responsibility.”
GOOD AFTERNOON FROM BUCHAREST
Austria and Ukraine meet in a crucial clash to determine who finishes second in Group C. A guaranteed spot in the last 16 of Euro 2020 awaits the winner of today's game.
Both nations have three points, but Ukraine are better placed courtesy of having scored more goals so far, meaning they will finish second if they avoid defeat.
Austria must win to finish second, or they’ll have to rely on being one of the best four third-place finishers.
The Netherlands have already sealed top spot in the group, while North Macedonia are certain to finish bottom.
Both sides have one win and one defeat from their opening two games after beating North Macedonia and losing to the Netherlands.
We'll have team news and much more in the build-up to the 5pm kick-off.