Demydiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – As Ukraine's football season kicked off on Tuesday despite the ongoing Russian invasion, players from a Mariupol club are hoping to do their devastated city proud after a dramatic escape from their home. FSC Mariupol are warming up in the tiny village stadium of Demydiv 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of […]

Liverpool (AFP) – An Everton fan who drove to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees was given a moment to remember as he was brought on to take a penalty during the Toffees pre-season friendly win over Dynamo Kiev. Paul Stratton used his time off from working for Liverpool Council to travel to Poland and hand […]

Dublin (AFP) – Viktor Tsygankov lifted Ukraine's spirits after their painful failure to qualify for the World Cup as the midfielder clinched a 1-0 Nations League victory over the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday. Tsygankov struck with a fine free-kick early in the second at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Ukraine held on to that slender lead […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ukraine's World Cup dream is over after a cruel 1-0 defeat to Wales in Sunday's play-off final left a nation ravaged by war without the release of seeing their country compete in Qatar later this year. Heads bowed, the Ukrainian players were still saluted like heroes from the small band of […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Bale led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 as Ukraine's dreams of lifting the spirits of a war-torn country were cruelly denied by a 1-0 defeat in Cardiff on Sunday. Bale's free-kick, which was turned into his own net by Ukrainian captain Andriy Yarmolenko, separated the sides […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Wales manager Rob Page said it was "business as usual" despite facing war-torn Ukraine as they aim to reach a first World Cup since 1958 in Sunday's play-off final. Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 on Wednesday in their first competitive match since Russia's invasion in February. However, Page stressed that his […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ukraine are one game away from qualifying for the World Cup after beating Scotland 3-1 in a play-off semi-final in Glasgow on Wednesday in their first competitive match since the country was invaded by Russia. Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk scored the goals for Ukraine to set up a play-off […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ukraine's national team are dreaming of a place at the World Cup to bring some relief to a war-torn nation as they face Scotland in a playoff semi-final on Wednesday. Oleksandr Petrakov's side have not played a competitive match since Russia's invasion in February. Their trip to Scotland was postponed in March […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ukraine's Oleksandr Zinchenko broke down in tears on Tuesday as he expressed what a place at the World Cup would mean to his war-torn homeland. For the first time since Russia's invasion, Ukraine return to competitive action against Scotland in Wednesday's World Cup playoff semi-final at Hampden Park. The match was postponed […]

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainians on Tuesday hoped for victory on the football field, a day before their national team plays its first official match since Russia's invasion, facing Scotland in a World Cup qualifier.  The Ukraine-Scotland match will be held in Glasgow on Wednesday. It was rescheduled from March after Russian President Vladimir Putin […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland manager Steve Clarke reiterated his support to the Ukrainian national team, but he is desperate to deny them a place in the World Cup later this year in Qatar. Ukraine will play a competitive fixture for the first time since Russia's invasion of their homeland in a World Cup playoff semi-final […]

London (AFP) – Oleksandr Zinchenko says he wants to give Ukrainians something to smile about as his team prepares for next week's World Cup play-off semi-final against Scotland. The match, taking place in Glasgow next Wednesday, was rescheduled from March after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine are certain to earn the support of fans around […]

London (AFP) – West Ham have confirmed Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko will follow Mark Noble out of the London Stadium when his contract expires next month. The 32-year-old forward never managed to hold down a place in David Moyes' side and will now be looking for a new club from June 30. Yarmolenko joined the […]