• Match review

Scotland 1-3 Ukraine: Player Ratings as war-torn Ukraine get World Cup morale boost

Ukraine
Credit: Guardian
Advertisement

A victory at Hampden Park sends Ukraine to the World Cup playoff final.

Ukraine defeated Scotland in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. A brilliant attacking performance took the Blue and Yellows one step closer to sealing a spot in the Qatar tournament.

Ukraine are in the playoff final! 🇺🇦

The hosts started the game by pushing for an early breakthrough. But Ukraine managed to establish their control over the possession after the first 15 minutes.

The guests then increased the pressure on Scotland’s backline and scored the opener through Andriy Yarmolenko in the 33rd minute. 

Following a brilliant long-range pass, the West Ham star controlled the ball behind Scotland’s backline before making it 1-0 with a precise chip shot.

SurfsharkVPN
All you need in a VPN — and more

Ukraine started the second half by keeping the pressure on Scotland’s defence. After a few half-chances, Roman Yaremchuk doubled his side’s lead with a header in the 50th minute.

The hosts doubled down on their attacks after conceding the second goal, but Ukraine kept their defensive integrity. They conceded a goal from Callum McGregor in the 79th minute but managed to restore their lead by making it 3-1 with Artem Dovbyk’s last-minute goal.

Ukraine must now prepare to face Wales in the World Cup playoff final on Sunday.

Player Ratings

Scotland: Gordon (6), McTominay (5), Hanley (6), Cooper (5), Hickey (6), Gilmour (5), McGregor (7), Robertson (7), McGinn (6), Adams (7), Dykes (6).

Bench: Hendry (6), Christie (5), Armstrong (6).

Ukraine: Bushchan (6), Karavayev (7), Zabarnyi (7), Matviyenko (7), Mykolenko (6), Stepanenko (6), Yarmolenko (8), Malinovsky (6), Zinchenko (8), Tsygankov (7), Yaremchuk (7).

Bench: Sydorchuk (-), Shaparenko (7), Mudryk (6), Dovbyk (7), Zubkov (5).

x