Slovakia advances to European football championship

BRATISLAVA - Slovakia rallied in extra time against Northern Ireland to advance to the 2020 UEFA European championship on Thursday after a 2-1 victory in the playoff.

Everything was on the line in Belfast as the battle for one of the final four spots for EURO 2020 (to be held in summer 2021 due to coronavirus postponement) concluded the playoff finals.

Northern Ireland had the advantage of the home pitch, and a thousand fans were also allowed on the stands to produce a surprisingly cheerful atmosphere, but it was the visitors who emerged victoriously and qualified for the second time in the country's history.

The Slovaks scored the go-ahead goal in the 17th minute when Juraj Kucka lunged for a tardy pas by one of Northern Ireland's defenders and put himself head-to-head against the home team's goalkeeper moments later and had no trouble scoring the game opener on the first shot on goal.

The home team entered the second half with vigor, determined to tie the do-or-die game up, but the Slovaks managed to fend off their attacks right until the very end.

Slovakia's star defender Milan Skriniar who plays for Inter Milan, scored an unlucky own goal, redirecting Paddy McNair's low cross from close range as he led the ball in on a right-wing breakthrough.

His team could have completed the thrilling turnaround in the final minute of regulation time, but substitute Kyle Lafferty's long-range shot from the top of the box only hit the post of the visitors' goal.

Slovakia's morale took a huge hit, and the beginning of overtime was once again dominated by the home team, which sensed a great opportunity to complete the turnaround after all.

But it was not to be as Slovakia's rare fast-break resulted in Michal Duris, on from the bench, scoring low from behind a defender to decide the outcome in the 110th minute and put Slovakia back on the map as the Northern Irish failed to find an answer in the remaining time and will not repeat their previous Euro participation.

"It is a goal I will remember for the rest of my life. One of the most important of my career in the national jersey. I and some of the other guys will get to experience another European championship, which is amazing. I dedicate this victory to all the people in Slovakia fighting against the tough pandemic which have believed in us as true fans do," said Duris after the game.

Before the game, Slovakia was in a tight spot as the management of the Slovak Football Association decided to let go of the national coach Pavel Vrba (despite Vrba winning the playoff semifinal match against Ireland) and hired Stefan Tarkovic instead, charging him with the mission to lead the team in the all-or-nothing match-up on his first engagement.

"There was not one person in the stadium who didn't want to advance. Everything we determined we would do before the match, we managed to accomplish on the pitch; we played as a team. This is our way of thanking our fans for believing in us. It was my dream even as a player back in the days to participate in a big championship," added Tarkovic after his great trial-by-fire coaching success.

Slovakia will play in Group E of the 2020 UEFA European championship against Poland, Sweden, and Spain.