FIFA U-20 World Cup

Ukraine dispatch Panama to reach first quarter-final

Ukraine are heading to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time in their history following a 4-1 victory over Panama at Tychy Stadium on Monday.

While both sides sought to find their footing for the first 20 minutes of the match, the Ukrainians emphatically took control by half-time. Danylo Sikan and Yukhym Konoplia combined down the right side twice to lethal effect, as Konoplia served up one-touch finishes for Sikan in the 23rd minute and the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Sandwiched in between those goals was a 41st-minute headed goal from Denys Popov, his third of the tournament, and Ukraine went into the locker room with a commanding 3-0 lead.

Los Canaleros reeled one back five minutes into the second half. Ernesto Walker exhibited strength and control using his chest to settle a deep cross and finish from close range.

Serhii Buletsa shut the door on Panama seven minutes from full time, however, slipping unnoticed into the penalty area and beating Panama goalkeeper Emerson Dimas to cement Ukraine's position in the last eight. Panama exit Poland 2019 with their best-ever finish as one of the final 16 teams.

Next up

Friday 7 June
Colombia v Ukraine (Lodz, 15:30 local time)

Players of Ukraine are seen in the tunnel

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Players of Ukraine are seen in the tunnel prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Team members of Panama warm up

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Team members of Panama warm up prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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General view inside the Ukraine dressing room

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: General view inside the Ukraine dressing room prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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General view inside the Panama dressing room

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: General view inside the Panama dressing room prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Serhii Buletsa of Ukraine warms up

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Serhii Buletsa of Ukraine warms up prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Jorge Dely, head coach of Panama looks on

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Jorge Dely, head coach of Panama looks on prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Oleksandr Petrakov, head coach of Ukraine looks on

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Oleksandr Petrakov, head coach of Ukraine looks on prior to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Danylo Sikan #14 of Ukraine challenges Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Danylo Sikan #14 of Ukraine challenges Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Bristan of Panama competes with Yukhym Konoplia of Ukraine

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 3: Bristan of Panama competes with Yukhym Konoplia of Ukraine during the FIFA U-20 World Cup match between Ukraine and Panama on June 3, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Rafal Rusek/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

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Denys Popov #4 of Ukraine challenge Efrain Bristain #7 and Diego Valanta #15 of Panama

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Denys Popov #4 of Ukraine challenge Efrain Bristain #7 and Diego Valanta #15 of Panama during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Danylo Sikan #14 of Ukraine challenges Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Danylo Sikan #14 of Ukraine challenges Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Viktor Korniienko #9 of Ukraine challenges Jesus West #19 of Panama

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Viktor Korniienko #9 of Ukraine challenges Jesus West #19 of Panama during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Serhii Buletsa of Ukraine competes with R. Rodriguez of Panama

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 3: Serhii Buletsa of Ukraine competes with R. Rodriguez of Panama during the FIFA U-20 World Cup match between Ukraine and Panama on June 3, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Rafal Rusek/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

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Denys Popov (L) of Ukraine and team mate Danylo Sikan #14 look on

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Denys Popov (L) of Ukraine and team mate Danylo Sikan #14 look on during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Danylo Sikan #14 of Ukraine challenges Carlos Harvey #5 of Panama

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Danylo Sikan #14 of Ukraine challenges Carlos Harvey #5 of Panama during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Ukraine v Panama: Round of 16 - 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama celebrate wih his team mates after he scores his team's 1st goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama celebrate with his team mates after he scores his team's 1st goal

03 Jun 2019

TYCHY, POLAND - JUNE 03: Ernesto Walker #6 of Panama celebrate wih his team mates after he scores his team's 1st goal during the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Ukraine and Panama at Tychy Stadium on June 03, 2019 in Tychy, Poland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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