In Leverkusen, Italy secured a crucial point against Ukraine, securing their qualification for the European Championship as defending champions. Despite a goalless draw, the game was filled with opportunities and controversy. Notably, Ukrainian midfielder Mihajlo Mudrik made a disputed penalty claim after a collision with Bryan Cristante in the Italian penalty area. The referee did not award a penalty, and there was surprise that VAR was not consulted.
Ukrainian coach Serhij Rebrov expressed disappointment, believing his team was denied a clear penalty that could have secured their place at the Euros. However, there is still hope for Ukraine to qualify for the European Championship through the playoffs. Meanwhile, Germany is also vying for a spot in the playoffs and will face Portugal in their next match. The tension is high as both teams look to secure their place in one of Europe’s biggest tournaments.