Ukraine produced a courageous performance to stun Scotland 3-1 in its World Cup playoff semifinal at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Wednesday.
The qualifier at Hampden Park was preceded by tributes to the victims of Russia’s invasion, with the visitors going on to win 3-1 and earning a historic World Cup play-off final against Wales.
Amid the ongoing war with Russia, the Ukraine team worked together to perform wonderfully well at Hampden.
Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk struck either side of half-time, before Callum McGregor gave Scotland hope late on. But Artem Dovbyk sealed the game with a goal.
Ukraine’s head coach Oleksandr Petrakov, after the game, said, “I have no emotions. All my emotions are left on the football pitch. This victory was not for me, not for the players, it was for our country.
“We played for those who fight in trenches, those who fight for their last drop of blood. Yes, we took a baby step towards our great aim. We still have the Wales game in front of us and we’ll do everything. We are extremely proud Ukrainians.”
Wednesday’s playoff had originally been scheduled to take place in March, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced the match’s postponement. Ukraine now needs to beat Wales in Cardiff on Sunday in its playoff final to reach the World Cup.
