Slovakia closer to France despite Ukraine blank

• Róbert Vittek returns to Slovakia duty after two and half years
• Slovakia make five changes from defeat by Spain
• Andriy Yarmolenko picks up 50th Ukraine cap
• Next games: Slovakia v Belarus, FYR Macedonia v Ukraine (9 October)

A 0-0 home draw with Ukraine meant Slovakia missed a chance to confirm their place in UEFA EURO 2016 from qualifying Group C.

Victory in Zilina would have sealed their progress, by virtue of a six-point advantage and a superior head-to-head record against their opponents, to a UEFA European Championship finals for the first time. However, a draw did manage to keep Slovakia's UEFA EURO 2016 hopes in their own hands with two games to play. 

A sold-out Štadión MŠK Žilina witnessed a nervous but dramatic first half, with Slovakia starting on the front foot as they looked to bounce back from Saturday's loss to Spain. Coach Ján Kozák introduced five fresh faces into his lineup, including the nation's all-time top scorer Róbert Vittek, but AC Milan midfielder Juraj Kucka struck over one of few efforts that fell their way early on.

Yevhen Konoplyanka missed an excellent opportunity for Ukraine following a dangerous break into the area, with Andriy Yarmolenko also off-target with a rasping effort for Mykhailo Fomenko's side.

The visitors showed ambition and the longer the game went, the more dangerous they became in the knowledge that three points would enable them to draw level with their hosts. Artem Kravets went close as Martin Škrtel's pressure caused the Ukraine striker to miss the target.

Slovakia pushed for a late winner yet Ukraine defended stoutly, with Róbert Mak firing over. Then silence fell on the stadium with five minutes remaining as Yaroslav Rakitskiy took aim with a free-kick, but Matúš Kozáčik was equal to it and thus helped his second-placed team maintain a three-point gap over Ukraine in third.