Ukraine deny Scotland on emotional night to set up playoff final with Wales

Ukraine players celebrate with their fans after Roman Yaremchuk headed their second goal of the game. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

The only threat to Ukraine’s bid to keep their World Cup campaign alive came from a level of physical and mental fatigue that was wholly understandable. When Artem Dovbyk strode forward to score in the fifth minute of stoppage time, it was clear even tiredness could not halt the Ukrainian dream.

There will be inevitable focus on the paucity of Scotland’s showing here but Ukraine were exceptional. After Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk handed the visitors a deserved two-goal lead, unlikely home hope arose from a goalkeeping blunder.