Five months after the previous meeting between opponents, both teams have undergone certain changes. There were many personnel differences in both squads, although only Buialyskyi played among those who did not travel to Euro 2020, where Ukraine reached the top eight teams of the tournament.

The Ukrainians took the field even with a new coach—Oleksandr Petракov conducted his debut match at the helm of blue and yellow. The formation with three central defenders applied by the coaching staff was not entirely new to the team; they occasionally played this way under Andriy Shevchenko as well. The teams had barely settled into the game when Ukraine took the lead. As in the previous encounter between these rivals, a goal from Yaremchuk proved decisive. Roman received a pass from Karavaev just outside the hosts' penalty area, chested the ball down, and sent it almost into the top corner of Pokatilov's net. 0:1.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

It was noticeable that the Kazakhstani goalkeeper was quickly rattled by the early goal, hesitating during crosses into his penalty area and guests' shots. The Ukrainians felt quite comfortable on the artificial turf unfamiliar to them, showing much less hesitation in their actions.

On the 17th minute, Mykolenko's run down the left flank created another dangerous situation, but Sobol's finishing shot hit the post. Eight minutes later, the ball once again struck the goal frame, this time after an attack from the left—this time it was Yarmolenko who missed.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

In the second half, Kazakhstani players began to push forward more actively and even tried to press in their opponents' half. The hosts delivered several long-range shots, some of which were quite dangerous. As for crosses into the penalty area that the home team attempted, Pyatov dealt with them without much trouble. Just before halftime, Ukraine failed to capitalize on a very promising penalty (Zinchenko hit an opponent), although the end of the first half could have given Kazakhstani players some reason for optimism.

After the break, Kazakhstan tried to play more aggressively and gave Petракov's team more space in attack, but they failed to take advantage of it. After an hour of playing time, coaches began making substitutions. Alexander Petракov and Talgat Baysefidinov brought fresh players into their attacking lines. Immediately after this, Ukraine created two excellent opportunities, but Matviyenko and Sobol missed chances one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Soon, Kazakhstan launched a sharp counterattack, and Aimbetov's goal was disallowed for offside (the referee's decision was confirmed by VAR). Then Tagibergen's diagonal pass found Valiyulin, who outmaneuvered Pyatov. 1:1. Ukraine could have responded effectively, but Czyganok and Yarmolenko missed further excellent chances.

In the final minutes, Aimbetov failed to beat Pyatov in a one-on-one situation, while substitutes managed to exchange goals in injury time. Sykan, who came on as a substitute, put guests ahead again, but Valiyulin equalized once more. 2:2.

Ukraine ended the game with a draw for the fourth time in this cycle.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

WC-2022. European Qualification. Group D

Kazakhstan — Ukraine — 2:2 (0:1)

Goals: Valiyulin (74, 90+6) — Yaremchuk (2), Sykan (90+3).

Kazakhstan: Pokatilov, Bystrov, Marochkin, Logvinenko, Maliy, Valiyulin, Tagibergen (Orazov, 90), Kuat (Vorogovsky, 84), Vasylyev (Zhukov, 90), Nurgalieyev (c) (Zainutdinov, 60), Shushenachev (Aimbetov, 60).

Substitutes: Shatskiy, Seysen, Aliyev, Erlanov, Takyenov, Zarinbetov, Tapalov.

Coach: Talgat Baysefidinov.

Ukraine: Pyatov, Sobol (Sykan, 82), Mykolenko, Zabarny, Matviyenko, Karavaev, Zinchenko, Buialyskyi (Malynovskyi, 58), Sidorchuk (Shaparenko, 75), Yarmolenko (c), Yaremchuk (Czyganok, 58).

Substitutes: Boyko, Syrota, Krivtsov, Kachaраба, Korienko, Makarenko, Timchik, Riznik.

Coach: Oleksandr Petракov.

Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania).

Yellow cards: Vasylyev (43), Pokatilov (90+2) — Mykolenko (52), Zinchenko (74).

1 September. Nur-Sultan. 'Astana-Arena'.

Table

01.09. France — Bosnia and Herzegovina (21:45)