WATCH: Late controversy! Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk denied stoppage-time penalty for Ukraine as Italy scrape into Euro 2024

Tied 0-0 going into the final stages of their last qualifier against Italy, Ukraine felt they were robbed of a clear penalty that could have sent them to Euro 2024. Mudryk met the low pass from the right into a crowded penalty area, beating Bryan Cristante to the ball and appearing to have his legs taken by the Italy midfielder. Cristante also seemed to immediately realise his mistake, throwing his arms up in the air as if to protest innocence and gesture that he had pulled out of the challenge. But the contact was there.

With no penalty given, the game finished 0-0, which was enough for Italy to cling onto Group C's second automatic qualifying place behind leaders England. The reigning champions finished level on points with Ukraine, but could boast a superior head to head record between them following a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture in Milan in September. It leaves Ukraine, who have been unable to play games at home throughout this campaign due to the ongoing war with Russia, agonisingly third in the final standings. Had Ukraine got the penalty and converted it, the victory would have taken them above Italy.

Ukraine's chance to reach Euro 2024 is not completely gone and they will have a second bite at the cherry in the playoffs thanks to their performance in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League. That opportunity comes from the fact that Scotland secured - arguably unexpectedly - automatic qualification for Euro 2024, meaning their guaranteed playoff berth dropped to the next best team in their League B group, which was Ukraine.

The playoffs take the form of three separate knockout brackets to determine the final three Euro 2024 qualifiers, each with four teams and consisting of two semi-finals and a final. All games will be played between 21 and 26 March 2024, with the playoffs draw taking place on Thursday 23 November.