Scotland 1-3 Ukraine: Heroic visitors stun Scotland to advance to World Cup playoff finals

The heroic Ukraine has evoked a performance of spirit, effort and courage to stun Scotland and win the historic World Cup playoff final against Wales.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk attacked either side of halftime before giving hope to Scotland in the second half. However, Artem Dovbyk sealed the Qatar 2022 showdown in Cardiff on Sunday and made the final kick of the ball.

While images of fans watching over the war-torn Ukraine have spread, 3,500 fans in light blue and yellow, including 65 orphans invited by the Scottish FA, have been greatly celebrated in Glasgow. rice field.

It was the night that began with the lyrics of the Ukrainian national anthem, which struck an emotional chord in the indicted Hampden.

The moment their side stepped into the flag-covered pitch of their hometown, the belted words took on a whole new significance. “Ukraini’s glory and freedom have not diminished yet. Good luck will still smile to our brother Ukrainians.”

When that happened, luck had little to do with their team’s victory here. Perhaps at their best time, they were unmatched.

This match hasn’t been a long time. Originally scheduled for March, it has been postponed in the hope that Ukraine will be able to play the fixture. The entire series of friendly matches had to be prepared by Olexandr Petrakov.

At a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s face wept and it was a journey that made us realize what the game means in the context of the Ukrainian struggle.

But in Glasgow, there was no emotional fatigue. It’s not a hint of adrenaline rush fades, nor is it a whim that events make them better.

With the exception of a late rally from the host, Petrakov’s men exposed Scotland’s vulnerability. It was made even more pronounced by the absence of Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney. The 33-minute opener perfectly expressed it.

Due to the failure of the Scottish highline, Yarmolenko made a perfect run to the through ball. It was only him and the whites in the eyes of Craig Gordon. As the ball floated sublimely behind the net, over the goalkeeper’s head, their eyes were immediately stared.

Steve Clark shuffled the puck in half time and threw Ryan Christie. But just four minutes after the reboot, Scotland was easily torn again.

Oleksandr Karavaev was given the freedom to hit the ball with another cross by Mount Florida, Yaremchuk handled Aaron Hickey’s attention without any problems, and his arched header looped in across the goal.

Clark stood still at the edge of his tech field when Benfica’s striker competed with his compatriots and women behind the goal.

In fact, there were signs of warning. Gordon denied Viktor Tsyhankov in a half volley, and Hearts goalkeeper saved Yarmolenko goalless at close range.

Then came the moment when Scotland saw their world flash in front of them. Tartan Army’s beloved John McGinn was given a header from 6 yards after Georgy Bushchan fluttered on the cross. The Aston Villa man bowed a lot, aiming for his mercy. He stared incredibly.

At the touchline, Clark appeared to be immobile and prepared two agents in place of the late charge.

Scotland was charged, but still struggled, but in 11 minutes they were given a lifeline. McGregor’s efforts were not dealt with again by the increasingly rattling Butchan, who seized the ball in the air and just above the line, before it was hacked and cleared. Hampden erupted with the first roar of desperate hope, rather than disappointing.

But when Scotland pushed, they were exposed further back. A series of long punts at the end collapsed, one last dice rolled, and the Ukrainians rushed deep into the time of injury.

Dovbyk, the substitute, has always wanted Gordon to eventually dispatch the ball. The Dnipro 1 forward, who hasn’t played in the match since December, expressed little emotion as the ball ruffled the net. Around him, his compatriots celebrated violently on an amazing night for Ukraine, as a football team and as a country.

Best Player-Oleksandr Zinchenko

What does this mean?

Probably the best moment for the Ukrainian national team, and even if they win, the celebration faces a gloomy background.

Coach Petrakov said from the bottom of his heart at a press conference after the match. He dedicated the result to the Ukrainian people, and they may still have another chapter to write a pen in this story on Sunday. Don’t bet on it.

Clark admitted that his team was losing to their opponents, and captain Andy Robertson said Scotland didn’t show up. Both points are difficult to discuss.

For Scotland, the pursuit of tournament football has been a real hurt moment since France ’98. However, future puncture wounds will eat up more than most.

The level of expectations surrounding the national team is rising. Regardless of the opponent’s condition, Scotland was confident that he would be in Wales this Sunday.

But what we saw is reminiscent of the false hopes that the Czechs experienced in the euro last summer, which hit the Scottish people hard. They seemed to be caught on that occasion. The shot to glory did not fall out of their grasp, it was pulled away.

Introspection will soon be conceivable for Clark and his players, as either Ukraine or Wales can be excited and looking forward to Qatar.

Match statistics

• Scotland has not been able to qualify for the last six Men’s World Cups since 1998. Between 1974 and 1998, I missed only one of the seven tournaments.
• Ukraine has made its first progress from the World Cup qualifying playoff tie in its fifth attempt after failing in 1997, 2001, 2009 and 2013.
• This is the third meeting between the two countries, and Ukraine has now won twice, winning 2-0 in October 2006.
• Yaremchuk scored four goals in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. This is the most common Ukrainian player. Three of these four goals left home in Kazakhstan, Finland and Scotland.
• McGregor scored only the second goal in his 43rd match in Scotland and was added to the Euro 2020 match against Croatia.
• At 39 years and 152 days, Gordon became the oldest player to play in Scotland in a World Cup or World Cup qualifying match since Jim Leighton in the 1998 final (334 days 39 vs. Morocco).
• Yarmolenko scored the 45th goal in Ukraine, just three behind Andriy Shevchenko (48).

What’s next?

While Ukraine goes to Cardiff, Scotland will have to struggle for the opening of the Nations League against Armenia in Hampton next Wednesday (19:45 BST) and then travel to Ireland and Armenia for the next six days.