Croatia U19 vs Ukraine U19

The first 21 minutes were a study in patience. Ukraine held the ball in controlled, probing possession but created few clear openings — until a moment of Croatian pressure changed the game.

Croatia won a penalty when I. Barić was brought down in the box, and the forward stepped up to send goalkeeper Nazar Domchak the wrong way from the spot in the 22nd minute. It was Barić's first goal of the tournament and gave Croatia a lead they had not quite deserved on the balance of play.

Ukraine's response was swift and incisive. Four minutes later, right-back Y. Kokodyniak pushed forward and found P. Lyusin in midfield. Lyusin's clever pass released Dmytro Bohdanov, who slotted calmly past Grahovac to make it 1-1 in the 26th minute.

The score stayed level until half-time, but Ukraine had established a foothold and were growing into the match.

Whatever Dmytro Mykhailenko said in the dressing room worked immediately. Just three minutes into the second half, Ukraine struck again. A corner from the right dropped to N. Kaliuzhnyi on the edge of the box, and the midfielder's low drive took a slight deflection off a Croatian defender before nestling in the corner — 2-1 to Ukraine, and Croatia were on their heels.

The critical moment came in the 57th minute. Croatia had not yet recovered from the second goal when Ukraine carved them open again. P. Sykut — who had been a persistent threat on the left flank — drove to the byline and pulled back a low cross for P. Lyusin, who arrived unmarked to side-foot home from 10 yards. Lyusin's goal, his second direct involvement of the night (1 goal, 1 assist), effectively ended the contest at 3-1.

Croatia manager Sinisa Orescanin reacted with a triple substitution on 58 minutes — introducing T. Baković, T. Kusanović and M. Zrilić — but the changes could not stem the tide. Ukraine controlled the final half-hour with composure, rarely allowing Croatia a sight of goal.

P. Lyusin (Ukraine) — The central midfielder was the game's outstanding player. He provided the assist for Bohdanov's equaliser and scored the third goal himself, showing excellent reading of the game and crisp finishing. Player of the Match.

Dmytro Bohdanov (Ukraine) — The striker's movement troubled the Croatian centre-backs all evening. Took his goal with composure and consistently stretched play on the counter.

I. Barić (Croatia) — Scored the penalty to give Croatia the lead but was isolated for long periods. Substituted on 58 minutes after Ukraine took control.

Ukraine's three goals from xG that reflected their patient build-up — they did not need volume, only precision. The four-minute response to Croatia's opener (22' → 26') showed excellent psychological resilience, and their two goals inside the first 12 minutes of the second half were decisive. Croatia managed only sporadic efforts after the 58th-minute triple substitution, suggesting tactical disruption rather than fresh energy.

Ukraine sit joint-top of Group B alongside Italy, who beat Serbia 2-0 earlier on Matchday 1. Croatia and Serbia both lost their openers and face an uphill battle to reach the semi-finals. The top two in each group advance.

Next fixtures for both sides in the UEFA U19 Championship:

• Croatia U19 vs Serbia U19 — 2 July 2026
• Ukraine U19 vs Italy U19 — 2 July 2026

Ukraine were sharper, better organised and more dangerous in transition. Croatia's bright start was undone by a four-minute collapse of concentration, and they never truly recovered. Mykhailenko's side look well-placed to challenge for a semi-final spot; Croatia face a must-win game against Serbia.