In the semi-finals of a highly emotional World Cup qualifier, Eastern Europe celebrated a deserved 3-1 victory.
It was ‘just’ about a place in the World Cup qualifiers final. However, the first official appearance of the Ukrainian national team since mid-November in the Scottish capital was one of the most attractive.
Yarmolenko wardrobe piece
From the start, Eastern Europeans have shown that they want to be a sporting example in Hampden Park’s atmosphere. They seemed more prepared than the hosts and showed themselves stronger in the midfield, especially with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ruslan Malinovsky. However, the pass was just short of a vertical pass behind the defense that flips the Scottish defense in the 33rd minute.
Consignee Andrei Jarmolenko not only packaged a skillful pass in the second touches of the ball, but also hit the ball with emotion on Craig Gordon for the lead. Shortly after the break, Yarmolenko’s partner Roman Yaremchuk doubled the score to make it 2-0 with an accurate header against Gordon’s direction of travel.
Buchan gives Scotland hope
Ironically, another Ukrainian player has to restore hope to the hosts: Goalie Georgi Buschtschan. In the final phase, this let loose conclusion from Callum McGregor to slip away. Previously, the Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper had already allowed some doubts, which had woken the Scots from their slumber.
But the host team’s rebellion came too late. It was most likely Artem Dubik in stoppage time who, after a counterattack, made it 3-1 to rule Ukraine’s lead. That’s missing for the World Cup in Qatar, where England, USA and Iran are waiting in Group B, so there’s another win: on Sunday (5 June) in the final in Wales.
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