A heroic Ukraine roused a performance of spirit, endeavour and courage to stun Scotland and earn a historic World Cup play-off final against Wales.
With their country enshrouded in trauma amid the ongoing war with Russia, a team hauled together shone brightly at a sun-drenched Hampden.
Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk struck either side of half-time, before Callum McGregor gave Scotland hope late on. But Artem Dovbyk sealed a Qatar 2022 showdown in Cardiff on Sunday with the last kick of the ball.
While images of fans watching on in war-torn Ukraine circulated, 3,500 fans bedecked in light blue and yellow – including 65 orphans invited by the Scottish FA – celebrated wildly in Glasgow on a night none will forget.
It was an evening which started with the lyrics of the Ukrainian national anthem striking an emotional chord at a charged Hampden.
Moments after their side strode on to the pitch draped in flags of their homeland, the words which were belted out took on a whole new significance. “The glory and freedom of Ukraine has not yet perished. Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians.”
As it transpired, luck had little to do with their team’s triumph here. In perhaps their finest hour, they were peerless.
This match was a long time coming. Originally planned for March but postponed in the hope Ukraine would be capable of playing the fixture, a series of friendlies were all Olexandr Petrakov had to prepare.
It’s been a gut-wrenching journey, with the tears on the face Oleksandr Zinchenko in Tuesday’s pre-match news conference offering a poignant reminder to all what this game means against the backdrop of Ukraine’s struggles.
SOURCEBBC Sport
