Ukraine 1–2 Armenia: Narrow defeat at the start of Euro 2026 and what it means for the group
The Ukrainian national team lost to Armenia 1-2 in the opening round: a brace by Migran Dermondzhyan neutralized a goal from Vladyslav Pervyeyev. We examine why this defeat is not fatal — but requires a swift response.
By Oleg Bazylewicz
January 22, 2026 · 2 min read
What happened
The Ukraine national futsal team lost to Armenia by 1:2 in the opening match of the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 in the group that also features the Czech Republic and Lithuania. The first half finished goalless. At the start of the second half Vladyslav Perveyev opened the scoring, but Migran Dermondzhyan scored twice, including a conversion one minute before the end of the match, to give Armenia the victory, UNN reports.
"The Ukraine futsal team lost to Armenia 1:2 in the first round of the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026."
— UNN (match report)
Key moments and context
The narrow margin in the score underlines: the defeat is unfortunate but not a sentence for advancing from the group. Ukraine controlled the game in the first half and opened the scoring in the second, but could not hold on to the lead.
Dermondzhyan's brace and a pass from Arsen Petrosov point to Armenia's sharp attacking moments; analysts note that quick transitions and the conversion of chances in critical minutes were decisive.
What's next for the Ukraine national team
The main thing is a quick correction. Oleksandr Kosenko's side still have two group matches: against Lithuania (25 January) and the Czech Republic (28 January, Riga). These matches will determine their chances of advancing from the group.
Practical conclusion: greater concentration in defense against opponents' counterattacks and better finishing of your own chances in the second half are needed. This is not about drama — it's about tactics and discipline, which can be improved in the short cycle between matches.
Schedule and next steps
The Czech Republic and Lithuania play each other today at 20:00; the result of that pairing will also affect the group's standings. For Ukraine the next match is on 25 January against Lithuania: it's a chance to quickly respond to the opening disappointment and get back into contention.
The question these matches leave is whether the team can turn this defeat into mobilization — the answer will come in the next round.
Source: UNN
