June 02, (THEWILL) – Ukraine overcame Scotland 3-1 in an emotional victory in their comeback to competitive football for a result that brings them within one victory of the Qatar World Cup.
The World Cup qualification play-off semi-final was postponed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier in 2022, but despite Georgi Bushchan’s gaffe setting up a grandstand finish, Oleksandr Petrakov’s team were deserving winners at Hampden Park.
Despite Ukraine’s difficulties, Scotland manager, Steve Clarke, declared he was “desperate” to reach the World Cup, but his players could not match Ukraine’s intensity until late in the game, when Bushchan had mishandled Callum McGregor’s attempt over the line.
Ukrainians Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk, put their country ahead on either side of half-time, with Artem Dovbyk adding a third in stoppage time for the win. It means only Wales stand in their way of a spot in Qatar.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
