Emotion, and an immense joy in the end for an entire country.
By beating (3-1) Scotland on home soil, the Ukrainian national team offered itself the right to still dream of its participation in the next World Cup (November 21 - December 18).
He still has to overcome Wales Gareth Bale on Sunday, who emerged victorious (2-1) from the other semi-final against Austria (2-1), played at the end of March.
The winner will get the precious sesame for Qatar where he will join England, Iran and the United States in Group B.
More than six months after its last official match (on November 16 against Bosnia with a 2-0 victory), Ukraine has not trembled despite the tragic events that have shaken it since the start of the invasion of Russia. , February 24, and the lack of competition (only three friendly matches).
Initially scheduled for March 24 in Glasgow, this meeting had been postponed at the request of the two federations.
In a packed Hampden Park stadium, where 3,500 Ukrainian supporters made the trip, the emotion was first intense at the time of the hymns.
The Ukrainian players, each adorned with the national flag, are concentrated, while the Flower of Scotland resounds a few seconds later, taken up by a whole people.
On the poster board the word "Peace" announces the color.
Yellow and blue, of course.
An emotional moment for the Ukraine players.
A national anthem filled with passion and defiance 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/g61T1NyRkB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 1, 2022
Very quickly, Ukraine took over the game.
Scotland is not there and retreats in the face of Ukrainian inclinations.
Under the eyes of legend Andriy Shevchenko, the Zbirna (Ukrainian selection) remembers that here, it had won in the round of 16 of the last Euro last year against Sweden (2-1).
After several attempts, Andriy Yarmolenko, the West Ham striker, who started on the edge of offside, comes to crucify Craig Gordon with a perfectly adjusted lob.
The Scots barely have time to return from the locker room before their hopes dwindle even further when Benfica Lisbon striker Roman Yaremchuk rises above the opposing defense to give his side a two-goal lead. team (49th).
The Tartan Army, which has been chasing a participation in the World Cup since 1998, changed pace and saw its efforts rewarded by Callum McGregor, following a double hand fault by Bushchan (79th).
On a final counter in stoppage time, Artem Dovbyk comes to crucify the Scottish goalkeeper.
Ukrainian players can go and greet their supporters.
Quite a symbol.