As Andriy Yarmolenko sank to the ground for the second time of the afternoon, it was clear the London Stadium had witnessed a moment that went well beyond football.
Following the final whistle, the emotion (and a touch of cramp) set in once more for the Ukraine international.
After hugs from his West Ham team-mates and coaching staff, a visibly emotional Yarmolenko walked off alone and into the dressing room, where he was greeted by another standing ovation. He tried to hold back the tears but could not.
His goal, on his first appearance since Russia’s invasion of his homeland, had just set West Ham on their way to a crucial 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the race for fourth. But more than that, it felt like a symbol of defiance. The 32-year-old was born to Ukrainian parents in St Petersburg before moving to Chernihiv, in Ukraine, as a child. He has spent the days since the outbreak of war making relentless phone calls to family and friends back home, working to get his wife and children to London, where they are now safe.
Chernihiv has been subjected to intense bombing, and Yarmolenko still has family and friends in Ukraine and scattered across Europe. He admitted yesterday he is still struggling to think about football. The support from the club, his team-mates and fans have helped playing football possible again. After being granted compassionate leave, Yarmolenko was given the freedom to decide when to train and whether he wanted to be considered for selection.
Team-mates have done what they can. Manager David Moyes revealed that goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who ran the length of the pitch to embrace Yarmolenko at full-time, has been of particular help. Yarmolenko’s wife and children fled Ukraine through Poland, Fabianski’s country.
“All of us try to be as supportive as we can be, but I don’t think it is enough,” Fabianski told Standard Sport. “I don’t think any of us can imagine what he or his country have been through. He has been very emotional. Once he was back, you knew that something magical was going to happen — and that was what happened here.”
That magical moment arrived in the 70th minute.
Yarmolenko was front and centre on the matchday programme under the message “United for Ukraine”, but few could have imagined what was about to unfold.
Yarmolenko’s goal was one of superb quality. After Michail Antonio was forced off with a hamstring injury, Yarmolenko could yet play a key role for the Hammers in the coming weeks, starting against Sevilla on Thursday.
“A goal for West Ham, a goal for Ukraine,” bellowed the stadium announcer, as Yarmolenko wiped away the tears.
Yarmolenko had not scored in the league since July 2020 but put on a display full of hunger, drive and a decisive touch.
Yarmolenko does not want the personal spotlight over the plight of millions in Ukraine, but this was a moment to show the emotional power of football — and a sign to the world that Ukraine remains very much in the minds of everyone.
