The national team finally played its first official match of the current year. The semi-final qualifier for the World Cup between Scotland and Ukraine was originally scheduled for March, but due to Russia's invasion of our country, it was rescheduled for June 1.

Over the past month, blue-and-yellow conducted their preparation in Slovenia. Initially, players from clubs in the UPL joined the training, and at the end of May, foreign league players were added to them. Alexander Petrakov decided to rely on these international players since five of our team's starters today are foreigners, as well as four Dynamo Kyiv players and two miners.

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At the beginning of the game, both teams were cautious, but as time went on, Ukrainians started to dominate possession and create more dangerous chances. On the 8th minute, after a cross from Malinovsky from the right side, Tsygankov shot — Gordon saved it. On the 17th minute, the goalkeeper of Scotland's national team made an incredible save when Yarmolenko found himself in front of the goal and struck with a spin kick.

The British responded with a shot from Henderson above the crossbar after a corner kick. Later, Gordon managed to intercept Yaremchuk who was about to finish off an attack inside the penalty area. Soon afterwards, inaccurate shots were made by Yaremchuk, McGinn and Yarmolenko.

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And yet, Ukrainians managed to open the scoring — on the 33rd minute after a beautiful cross from deep by Malinovsky, Yarmolenko elegantly put it past the goalkeeper. 0:1. Andriy scored his 45th goal for Ukraine's national team. After this, both teams played out the rest of the half without any clear chances.

The second half our national team started briskly and almost immediately scored again. Yarmolenko passed the ball into the opponent’s penalty area and then back to Karavaev on the flank, whose cross was headed in by Yaremchuk. 0:2.

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Shortly after, Yarmolenko dangerously shot from the right — Gordon parried it. Later Bushchan nearly scored an own goal but a ricochet off McGregor sent the ball past the post. Soon afterwards, the goalkeeper of blue-and-yellow had to react to a shot from Christie in a tight angle. On the 67th minute, the hosts missed a great chance — Bushchan failed to parry McTominay's shot, but McGinn could not score into an empty net.

Subsequently, both teams exchanged chances — goalkeepers reacted to shots from Tsygankov and Armstrong respectively. On the 76th minute, Bushchan denied Adams a goal, while Matviyenko reacted to a shot-on-goal in stoppage time. However, Scots managed to score one goal when McGregor's shot from a rebound could not be saved by Bushchan, and the ball crossed the line. 1:2.

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After this, Dobych could have scored but hesitated with his shot after a one-on-one. Late in the game, the hosts tried to organize an attack but Ukrainians managed to defend their lead. In addition, our boys scored a third goal at the end of the match — Zubkov missed a great chance first, and then on the 95th minute Dobych calmly converted a one-on-one created by Zinchenko.

Blue-and-yellow defeated Scotland, so now they are only separated from qualifying for the World Cup-2022 by Wales. The final match of the playoff between the teams will take place on June 5 in Cardiff.

World Cup 2022. European Qualifiers. Playoff

Semifinal

Scotland — Ukraine — 1:3 (0:1)

Goals: McGregor (79) — Yarmolenko (33), Yaremchuk (49), Dobych (90+5).

Scotland: Gordon, Robertson (c), Cooper (Gendry, 68), Henderson, McTominay, Gikku, McGregor, Gilmore (Armstrong, 68), McGinn, Dijk (Christie, 46), Adams.

Substitutes: Marshall, Kelly, O'Donnell, Suttar, McKenna, Stuart, Brown, Ferguson, Taylor.

Coach: Steve Clarke.

Ukraine: Bushchan, Mykolenko, Matviyenko, Zabarnyi, Karavaev, Stepanenko (Sidorchuk, 90+3), Malinovsky (Shaparenko, 72), Zinchenko, Tsygankov (Mudryk, 72), Yarmolenko (c) (Zubkov, 78), Yaremchuk (Dobych, 78).

Substitutes: Pyatov, Ryzhnik, Sobol, Bondar, Syrota, Pikhalyonok, Kachaраба.

Coach: Oleksandr Petrakov.

Referee: Danny McKeown (Netherlands).

Yellow cards: Dijk (45), McGinn (59) — Yaremchuk (5), Malinovsky (9), Shaparenko (84).

June 1. Glasgow.«Hampden Park»