Scotland vs Ukraine LIVE: World Cup play-off result, final score and reaction as Ukraine triumph
Follow all the updates from Hampden Park as both nations look to move one step away from the finals in Qatar at the end of the year
Ukraine kept alive their dream of reaching the World Cup finals, beating Scotland 3-1 in their play-off at Hampden Park in their first game since the Russian invasion of their country.
Ukraine will now face Wales on Sunday in Cardiff with the winner taking a place in November’s finals in Qatar. The loss means Scotland remain without an appearance at a World Cup since 1998.
Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk had put a confident and dominant Ukraine 2-0 up before Callum McGregor pulled a goal back for the Scots in the 79th minute.
The goal injected some belief into Scotland who applied some late pressure but deep into stoppage time substitute Artem Dovbyk finished off a counter-attack to secure the victory.
Follow all the reaction below as Ukraine beat Scotland in the World Cup play-off semi-final:
Like a fine wine
Craig Gordon played in both of Scotland’s previous matches against Ukraine back in 2006/07 and is still going strong at the age of 39.
Tonight, the Hearts captain wins his 67th cap and he’ll be hoping for a 29th international clean sheet off the back of one his best seasons yet.
Scotland vs Ukraine
As the Ukrainian players came out to check on the pitch and to start their warm-ups they received a loud round of applause from both sets of fans already in the stadium.
Scotland vs Ukraine
This is going to be an emotional game for all involved.
Greame Souness admits on Sky Sports that he has conflicting feelings about the match. Naturally he is a Scottish supporter but he firmly believes that Ukraine should be at the World Cup if only to send a message to Russia that the world is united against their invasion.
How must the Ukrainian players feel? Men aged 18-60 in their country are not allowed to leave, instead they’re facing down Russian tanks and trying to save their home.
The Ukrainian squad have been given an exemption to fight as reaching the World Cup would be a huge morale boost for the nation. Many of the players haven’t featured this season so they’ll be facing an uphill battle before the emotions even come into play.
Full-time: Poland 2-1 Wales
Poland completed a comeback victory against a weakened Welsh team in the Nations League tonight. Wales - without stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey - scored early in the second half but after more changes to rest key players ahead of their World Cup play-off final on Sunday they conceded two late goals to give Poland the win.
More love and support for Ukraine
Despite the high stakes of tonight’s game there is no animosity amongst the two sets of fans. They are supportive and encouraging for each other outside of Hampden Park.
Ukrainian flags await fans
Hampden Park is decked out with Ukrainian flags for tonight’s match between Scotland and Ukraine in a show of support for the country who are still at war with Russia.
“Ukraine want to give their country a lift, which is absolutely 100% understandable,” said Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
Scotland arrive at Hampden Park
Just under an hour to go until kick off at Hampden Park. Scotland have arrived, can they take another step closer to the world cup tonight?
GOAL! Poland 2-1 Wales (Swiderski, 85’)⚽️
85 mins: Karol Swiderski delivers a decisive blow against Wales right at the end of the game. The visitors give away possession and Robert Lewandowski has a shot deflected off Chris Gunter before Swiderski taps home from close-range to beat Wayne Hennessey.
Ukraine hoping to reach second World Cup
Ukraine are hoping to add to their one World Cup appearance in 2006 but to do so they’ll need to see off Scotland tonight and Wales on Sunday.
Will they be able to defeat both home nations’ sides?
‘Take us to the World Cup’: Ukraine and Scotland ready for play-off that is now more than just a game
“If it was any other country, I would probably want them to win,” the Scotland captain Andy Robertson grinned ahead of tonight’s World Cup semi-final play-off with Ukraine, “but unfortunately they’re playing against my country and we have to stand in their way.”
There will be a balancing of emotions at play at Hampden this evening, coming into a match that a few months ago already carried huge significance but has now developed into something far larger. As Robertson explained while navigating the lines between both sides, Scotland will welcome Ukraine with open arms on what is set to be an emotional occasion, as the country plays its first competitive fixture since it was invaded by Russia three months ago, but they will need to be ready for a contest as well.
There is a place in Qatar on the line, after all, as Scotland sense their best opportunity in a generation to end their 24-year wait for an appearance at a men’s World Cup. The Tartan Army will be ready, not just in preparation for what is set to be an outpouring of support for Ukraine, but to roar their team into Sunday’s play-off final against Wales. Perspective, however, is never far away. “There will be an incredible atmosphere at Hampden,” the Ukraine head coach Oleksandr Petrakov admitted in the build-up to his team’s match, “but after rockets and bombs, we are not afraid of anything.”
‘Take us to the World Cup’: Ukraine ready for match that is now more than just a game
An emotional occasion as Ukraine return to action but once the match gets underway there’s no room to be sentimental
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