Emotions were understandably high for Wednesday’s UEFA World Cup qualifying play-off semifinal in Glasgow, and Ukraine couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Playing in their first match since Russia launched an invasion on the sovereign nation, Ukraine jumped ahead in the first half with a phenomenal goal against Scotland. The winner of the match will face Wales on Sunday for a spot in the World Cup.
The goal was set up by a long-range pass from Ruslan Malinovskyi that Andriy Yarmolenko expertly controlled to chip over the Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon. It was one of the moments that truly transcended sports given all what Ukraine has been through as a nation.
UKRAINE GOES UP 1-0 OVER SCOTLAND IN THE WORLD CUP PLAYOFF 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/kS81s90YIX
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 1, 2022
Seriously, what a goal.
The soccer world had plenty of thoughts on the amazing scene in Scotland.