Real Madrid player issues apology after causing heartbreak for his country
By Kian Long
Real Madrid have 13 players currently representing them at EURO 2024. Not every player is an assured starter but there is one player who had his breakthrough in 2023/24, making him a staple for his country. That player is Andriy Lunin, who started in goal for Ukraine's opening group stage game against Romania.
Unfortunately for the Real Madrid back-up goalkeeper, it was a disastrous performance between the sticks and one to forget for Andriy Lunin. Needless to say, he has been excellent for the Spanish capital, expertly filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois last season. However, unfortunately, he let it slip on the international stage.
For the first goal scored by Romania, the Ukraine shot-stopper was partly at fault. With the ball at his feet, a poor clearance meant that Andriy Lunin granted the ball to Romania, who then opened the scoring.
Then, in the second half, Andriy Lunin let in a wonder goal from Romania which, to be frank, could have easily been stopped. In what would be a routine save elsewhere, Lunin allowed the ball to glide underneath his glove, putting Romania 3-0 up and the game out of Ukraine's hands.
Real Madrid player issues apology after causing heartbreak for his country
In an apology which Andriy Lunin published to Ukraine supporters, he said (via COPE - Translated from Spanish to English): "My first mistake changed the game, I have already apologised. I feel very sorry for my teammates, my mistake has complicated the game"
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The bigger picture is that Ukraine could still progress through to the knockout stage. They have obviously taken a big hit in terms of points and goal difference but such is the fashion of the European competition, more teams progress than get eliminated.
Andriy Lunin should learn from his time at Real Madrid that the best thing to do is apologise and make people forget about his mistake. He has already done the first part, now he will be eager to make it up to his supporters in Ukraine's next match.
Next up for Ukraine is Slovakia this Friday, then they face Belgium in what could be the group decider. It is certainly a group of equal opportunity with all four clubs around the same technicalities. Romania have thrown a spanner in the works as everybody doubted them to progress but they have started well with three points.
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