The Iraqi national team achieved a valuable victory against their Ukrainian counterparts in the opening of their journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Iraq won against Ukraine with a score of two goals to one in the match held during the first round of the group stage of Group B. Ayman Hussein and Ali Jasem scored the goals for Iraq, while Valentina Rubshinskiy netted a goal for Ukraine. Iraq raised its points to 3, sharing the top of Group B with Morocco, which also defeated Argentina by two goals to one.
The standings of Group B are as follows:
- Morocco: 3 points
- Iraq: 3 points
- Argentina: 0 points
- Ukraine: 0 points
**Match Description**
The Ukrainian team started the match strongly in search of an early goal. Rubshinskiy missed a clear opportunity to score after an excellent cross inside the penalty area. Iraq responded with a powerful shot from striker Ayman Hussein, but the ball flew over the goal. The Ukrainian team continued to pressure the Iraqi goal, which only played on counterattacks.
At the beginning of the second half, Valentina Rubshinskiy succeeded in scoring the first goal after brilliantly following up on a rebound from the Iraqi goalkeeper in the 49th minute. Seven minutes later, the Iraqi team was awarded a penalty kick after Ayman Hussein was fouled, which the Iraqi striker successfully converted into the net in the 56th minute.
Ali Jasem then struck a low powerful shot that found the back of the net, announcing the second goal in the 75th minute. The post denied the Iraqi team from scoring a third goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
