World Cup Playoffs 2022: Ukraine beat Scotland – In their first competitive match since Russia’s invasion, Ukraine put off a late Scotland charge to move closer to World Cup qualification. Ukraine claimed an emotional win on their return to competitive football as they moved to within one victory of the Qatar World Cup by beating Scotland 3-1. Follow live World Cup playoffs with InsideSport.IN
World Cup Playoffs 2022: Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 in Playoff Semifinal to move closer to a World Cup ticket, Ukraine to face Wales in Playoff Final, Watch HIGHLIGHTS
Ukraine have advanced to face Wales in the UEFA World Cup Playoff finals.
The winner of this match will join the #USMNT, England, and Iran in Group B at the #WorldCup. pic.twitter.com/xRf53kVEa5
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 1, 2022
World Cup Playoffs 2022: Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 in Playoff Semifinal
The World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final was delayed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier in 2022, but Oleksandr Petrakov’s side were deserved victors at Hampden Park despite Georgi Bushchan’s blunder setting up a grandstand finish.
But Ukraine held onto their lead – given to them either side of half-time by Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk – with Artem Dovbyk adding a third in stoppage time, and now only Wales stand in their way of a place in Qatar.
Craig Gordon twice came to Scotland’s rescue early on, first tipping over Viktor Tsygankov’s strike before smothering Yarmolenko’s close-range effort, but Ukraine made a deserved breakthrough in the 33rd minute
Having beat Scotland’s offside trap, Yarmolenko controlled Ruslan Malinovskiy’s lofted pass brilliantly before lofting a neat finish over the onrushing Gordon.
World Cup Playoffs 2022: Ukraine to face Wales in Playoff Final
It was 2-0 four minutes after the restart – Yaremchuk heading home from Oleksandr Karavaev’s right-wing cross after Scotland failed to clear their lines from a free-kick.
Ukraine almost gifted Scotland a way back into proceedings by overplaying at the back, with Bushchan’s clearance slicing wide off McGregor. John McGinn headed wide to let Bushchan off the hook for another error, but Ukraine’s goalkeeper was punished when he failed to catch McGregor’s poor shot.
Despite Scotland’s pressure, Ukraine finished things off in injury time – Dovbyk, who had missed two glorious chances, making it third time lucky to ensure victory. The result means that Ukraine will now face Wales in a World Cup playoff final in Cardiff on Sunday. For Scotland, their World Cup dreams are over.
World Cup Playoffs 2022: Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 in Playoff Semifinal to move closer to a World Cup ticket, Ukraine to face Wales in Playoff Final, Watch HIGHLIGHTS
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