In the final match of the Vbet Cup of Ukraine for the 2024/2025 season at Central Stadium in Zhytomyr, Donetsk's Shakhtar defeated Kyiv's Dynamo.

In the 33rd edition of the Ukrainian Cup final, two giants of national football faced each other. Shakhtar has won this trophy 14 times, while Dynamo has claimed it 13 times. This was the tenth time these teams had met in the final; their head-to-head record was even, with five wins apiece when extra time and penalty shootouts were considered.

Photo courtesy of the UAF press service

Almost the entire first half was marked by an evenly matched battle. The teams exchanged attacks but failed to create any real danger in front of goal. Nevertheless, on the 43rd minute mark, Kyiv's side opened the scoring. Mykola Shaparenko sent Vladyslav Dubynchak into a breakaway down the left flank; he crossed it into the center, and Andriy Yarmolenko tapped it in with his toe past Dmytro Ryznyk. 0:1.

Immediately after halftime, passions flared up on the pitch. After a collision between Vanta and Marlon, there was a collective scuffle that resulted in yellow cards for both protagonists of the conflict. On the 64th minute mark, miners equalized. Alison sent the ball into Dynamo's penalty area from a corner kick, and Kawan Elias scored with his head at the far post. 1:1.

Photo courtesy of the UAF press service

A minute later, Georgiy Sudakov had a powerful shot from distance that could have put Shakhtar ahead, but Ruslan Neschereyt made an excellent save. Kyiv responded with a sharp attempt by Nazar Voloshyn on the 89th minute mark, which was also thwarted by Dmytro Ryznyk.

Thus, neither team could break through in regular time and the match went into extra time. However, despite several dangerous moments from both sides, the additional 30 minutes did not change the scoreline, leading to a penalty shootout.

The first eleven attempts were successful for both teams, but after that, Dynamo's goalkeeper Dmytro Ryznyk became the hero of the shootout by saving Alexander Karavaev's shot. Therefore, 6:5 — victory for Marino Pušić's men.

Photo courtesy of the UAF press service

Thus, Shakhtar became the Vbet Cup champion for the 2024/2025 season. This success marks their 15th title.

In Shakhtar's lineup were players who had been called up to the national team in March: Matviyenko, Bondar, Sudakov (substituted on the 90+1 minute mark) and Ryznyk.

Among Dynamo's squad were Shaparenko (substituted on the 74th minute), Vanta (yellow card), Yarmolenko (goal, yellow card, substituted on the 82nd minute), and Boyal'skyi (substituted on the 82nd minute).

It is worth noting that head coach of Ukraine's national team Serhiy Rebrov was present at the match.

Vbet Cup of Ukraine-2024/2025. Final

14.05.2025

Shakhtar (Donetsk) — Dynamo (Kyiv) — 1:1 (0:1), penalty shootout — 6:5

Goals: Kawan Elias (64) — Yarmolenko (44).

Penalty shootout: Nazarina — 1:0, Vanta — 1:1, Alison — 2:1, Brachko — 2:2, Kevin — 3:2, Pichalonyok — 3:3, Kawan Elias — 4:3, Vychcharenko — 4:4, Gram — 5:4, Mykhailenko — 5:5, Krisykyv — 6:5, Karavaev — 6:5 (goalkeeper).

Shakhtar: Ryznyk, Bondar, Marlon (Krisykyv, 62), Eginaldu (Kawan Elias, 46), Sudakov (Tukanov, 90), Kevin, Pedro Enrique, Tobias (Gram, 102), Bondarenko (Nazarina, 62), Matviyenko (c), Pedrinho (Alison, 62). Substitutes: Fesyun, Traore, Shved, Azarov, Neverton, Farina. Coach: Marino Pušić.

Dynamo: Neschereyt, Popov, Yarmolenko (Voloshyn, 81), Shaparenko (Brachko, 74), Vanta, Timchik, Kabayev (Karavaev, 91), Boyal'skyi (c) (Pichalonyok, 81), Mykhavko (Bilovar, 112), Dubynchak (Vychcharenko, 104), Mykhailenko. Substitutes: Morgun, Rubchytskyi, Dyachuk, Herrero, Bragaru, Ponomarenko. Coach: Oleksandr Shovkóvsky.

Warned: Eginaldu (34), Marlon (53) — Vanta (53), Yarmolenko (61), Dubynchak (97).

Zhytomyr. Central Stadium. 4,740 spectators. Referee — M. O. Balakin (Kyiv region), assistant referees — O. A. Berkuat (Sumy), D. I. Zaporozhenko (Zaporizhzhia), fourth official — D. I. Panchishin (Kharkiv), reserve referee — V. P. Dumenskyi (Kharkiv), observer of the VAR — I. M. Khibilin (Khmelnytskyi). VAR Referee — D. L. Shurman (Kyiv region), assistant to the VAR Referee — O. O. Derevynskyi (Khmelnytskyi), observer of the VAR — A. B. Abdula (Kharkiv). Delegate of the UAF — G. F. Simonov (Kyiv).