An amazing 50-metre strike by substitute Milenko Acimovic gave outsiders Slovenia a surprise 2-1 victory over Ukraine in the first leg of their Euro 2000 play-off on Saturday.
With six minutes remaining, Acimovic, who was just inside the Ukraine half, intercepted a clearance from the Ukraine's goalkeeper, Olexander Shovkovsky, and banged the ball all the way back into the net as Shovkovsky scrambled back to his goal from near the touch-line.
AC Milan striker Andrei Shevchenko had put hot favourites Ukraine ahead in the 33rd minute, but Zlatko Zahovic equalised 20 minutes later.
Ukraine ended the match with nine men as Dmitry Parfenov was harshly sent off for a second book-able offence on the hour and Andriy Gusin followed him in the last minute.
"I have never scored a goal like that before and I still can't believe I did it," said Red Star Belgrade midfielder Acimovic, a half-time substitute for Saso Udovic.
"But I am confident and I believe that we can reach the European championship finals."
However, Ukraine, who finished behind world champions France in their qualifying group, were hot favourites and will still fancy their chances of progressing.
