Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Result: Ukraine end Scotland's World Cup dream with victory in Glasgow

sportsmole.co.uk, 1 June 2022, 20:39
Ukraine have recorded a 3-1 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park to move through to a World Cup playoff final with Wales.

The initial fixture in March was postponed - a result of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine - and it has resulted in football in a nation which has had war inflicted on them brought to an abrupt halt.

However, the lack of competitive football and emotions threatening to spill over would not deny Ukraine, who were deserved winners at Hampden Park.

While the opening stages of the contest were hotly contested, the visitors soon began to create the better chances, Scotland having to rely on goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

There was little that the veteran stopper could do to prevent Andriy Yarmolenko from giving his nation the lead in the 33rd minute, the recently-released West Ham United forward latching to a ball over the top to beautifully control and lob the ball over the advancing Gordon.

Scotland needed a response after half time but it was Ukraine who quickly doubled their advantage through Roman Yaremchuk, the forward towering over Aaron Hickey at the back post to send a header into the far bottom corner.

Even with over 40 minutes remaining, Scotland cut a deflated team, but to their credit, they rallied as the second half progressed with Ukraine stopper Heorhiy Bushchan fortunate to survive when his attempted clearance was charged down by Callum McGregor and went narrowly wide of the post.

John McGinn was also guilty of missing a sitter - the midfielder's header from three yards being directed off target - but Scotland capitalised on Ukraine missing chances to kill off the game by halving the deficit with 11 minutes remaining.

Buschan was again at fault, the goalkeeper letting a McGregor shot go through his fingers and marginally over the line, despite the best efforts of a defender.

However, despite more pressure being applied to the Ukrainian defence, the clear-cut chances dried up, and it was the visitors who looked more likely to add a third.

Perhaps fittingly, that occurred with the final kick of the game. Artem Dovbyk was released through on goal and with little pressure coming from Scotland's backtracking defenders, the substitute drilled the ball inside the near post.

Ukraine will now head to Cardiff for a showdown with Wales on Sunday, the winner of that fixture progressing through to the World Cup group stages where they would face England, United States and Iraq.

Top News

23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Denis Suarez wasn't the player Arsenal fans wanted to sign - but he's the footballer supporters have a hard time in forgetting. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be aiming to avoid four straight defeats across all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After spending Christmas Day in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to atone for recent failings when they travel to Nottingham Forest for a Boxing Day battle. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After celebrating Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool get back to business on Boxing Day, when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hatayspor vs. Adana Demirspor (Monday, 5.00pm) The battle of the bottom feeders in the Turkish Super Lig unfolds on Monday as Hatayspor host Adana Demirspor at the Mersin Stadyumu. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica vs. Estoril (Monday, 6.45pm) Separated by 10 places in the Primeira Liga table before gameweek 15, second-placed Benfica are clear favourites to outdo Estoril Praia at Estadio da Luz on Monday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fiorentina vs. Udinese (Monday, 5.30pm) After their incredible success streak was finally brought to an end last week, Fiorentina will aim to start another winning run on Monday, when they meet Udinese. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Yemen and Saudi Arabia will celebrate Christmas Day by facing each other on matchday two of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Yemen and Saudi Arabia will celebrate Christmas Day by facing each other on matchday two of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk First place in Group B of the Arabian Gulf Cup will be at stake on Wednesday as Bahrain and Iraq celebrate Christmas Day at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United transfer target Randal Kolo Muani is very likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, according to reports. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly set their sights on West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus, with Pep Guardiola keen to strengthen his struggling squad. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer of 2025.