Italy Qualify For Euro 2024 After Surviving Late VAR Penalty Check Against Ukraine

Reigning champions Italy qualified for the 2024 European Championship on Monday following a tense 0-0 tie with Ukraine.

The two teams went into Monday's game level on 13 points in Group C but Italy had a superior head-to-head record after beating Ukraine 2-1 in Milan in September.

Therefore, Ukraine needed to win in Leverkusen in order to leapfrog Luciano Spalletti's side into second place.

That could have happened had it not been for a fine save by Gianluigi Donnarumma to deny Mykhailo Mudryk midway through the second half.

Donnarumma also pulled off stops to keep out an effort from Viktor Tsygankov and two from Heorhii Sudakov.

But the real drama arrived in added time when Italy survived a late penalty appeal after Mudryk hit the ground under a challenge from Bryan Cristante.

The incident was reviewed by the VAR, who eventually backed the referee's on-field decision of no penalty.

Italy qualified from Group C in second place with 14 points, behind England on 20.

North Macedonia - who had denied Italy a place at the 2022 World Cup by beating them in a two-legged play-off - finished fourth with eight points.

Ukraine can still qualify for Euro 2024 by winning a four-team Nations League play-off.

Highlights: Ukraine 0-0 Italy

An action shot taken during Monday's 0-0 draw between Ukraine and Italy in Leverkusen

IMAGO/RHR-Foto/Dennis Ewert