Ukraine will now face Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, May 5, for a place at the 2022 World Cup billed for Qatar in November
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ukraine, a country that is currently war-ravaged after Russian invasion, are one win away from a place at the Qatar 2022 World Cup after beating Scotland in their play-off at Hampden Park on Thursday.
The game was initially postponed indefinitely and later rescheduled when Ukraine appealed to the European and World football governing bodies, who eventually approved their request with the blessing of their opponent Scotland.
The visitors were by far the better team in the first half, forcing two good saves from Craig Gordon before a classy, lobbed finish from Andriy Yarmolenko put them in front in the 33rd minute.
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Ukraine doubled their advantage in the 49th minute after Alexander Karavaev’s cross was met by Roman Yaremchuk’s deft header to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.
Scotland pulled one back from a scrambled shot by Callum McGregor with just over ten minutes left to give the hosts the hope of a possible comeback.
Sensing the time was not on their side, the home side piled forward, but were caught out five minutes into injury time when Artem Dovbyk slotted a late goal past Gordon after he was put through by Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Ukraine with the win will now face Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, May 5, for a place at the 2022 World Cup billed for the oil-rich Qatar in November.
