Ukraine wins FIFA Futsal World Cup bronze medal first time in history
Ukraine wins FIFA Futsal World Cup bronze (photo: facebook.com/@UKRAINEFUTSAL)
The Ukrainian national futsal team confidently defeated the French national team in the match for third place at the 2024 World Cup, reports FIFA.
World Cup 2024, match for 3rd place
Ukraine - France - 7: 1
Goals: Cherniavskyi, 10:20, Zvarych, 21:06, Zhuk, 26:55, 27:39, Abakshyn, 29:20, 29:39, 32:50 - Saadaoui, 22:10
After a cautious start, the teams exchanged chances around the 5th minute. Garros saved Semenchenko's shot, and then Sukhov was on top of his game after Mukhudin's shot. Subsequently, Cherniavskyi sent the ball far into the box after a corner kick.
It turned out that the Ukrainian was testing his shot. Almost in the next attack, the Ukrainian national team took the lead. Korsun pulled the goalkeeper onto himself and threw the ball to his partner. Cherniavskyi sent the ball into the French net with a powerful shot past several opponents.
Before the break, the Blue and Yellows missed several more opportunities. In particular, Abakshyn pushed the ball into the post and scored over the goal. Then Garros saved France after Korsun's shot. And in the last minute, after Semenchenko's cannon, the ball brushed the crossbar.
The second half began with dangerous attacks by the Tricolors. For example, Saadaoui missed the frame from a promising position. Instead, Oleksandr Kosenko's team organized a lightning attack, Semenchenko passed from the right edge, and Zvarych headed the ball over the line.
However, the French national team quickly scored one goal on the counterattack by Saadaoui. The game began on opposite courses, for which the Blue and Yellows were more prepared. Zhuk changed the course of events by scoring a double within a minute: he turned around and scored a great shot in the corner in the first episode, and in the second he played on the finish when Garros beat him in front of him.
The Tricolors released their fifth field player and flew forward. Ukraine withstood several sharp attacks by the French futsal players and was ready to attack immediately. So Abakshin became another hero of Kosenko's team. After three (!) interceptions near his own goal, he accurately sent the ball into the empty net, bringing the score to 7-1.
After such a scoring extravaganza, the Ukrainian national team played the final minutes in cold blood. The numbers on the scoreboard did not change, but this advantage was enough for the blue and yellows to achieve a historic victory. Ukrainian futsal players have won awards for the first time in their performances at the World Cup.
