An emotional Ukraine side was a much-deserved winner on the night, despite a month of complicated preparation at the Slovenian training camp.
It hadn’t played a competitive game since November last year but was determined to give those fighting back home something to cheer about.
“Two hours of joy we haven’t become accustomed to. They went out. They fought. They persevered. They won. Because they’re Ukrainians!”
“We’re all fighting, everyone on our respective fronts, for this. For our blue and yellow flags, for our coats of arms on our hearts, for ‘Ukraine is not dead yet…’, which was silenced. Can’t be done,” he said. Told.
“We fight, we fight, we suffer, we win.”
Ukraine looked much sharper than its protest and was cheered on by thousands of fans from Ukraine who created a great atmosphere at Hampden Park.
Goals from Andrey Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk put the visitors in control of the match, but there were moments of panic in the final stages.
For Scotland, Callum McGregor opened the attack on Ukraine’s goal, with only 10 minutes remaining.
But Ukraine ditched deep and defended and then scored the third goal with the last kick of the game through Artem Dovbik.
It was a goal that led to the far end bedlam with fans crying, dancing and singing long after the players had left the pitch.
Ukraine’s weary head coach Oleksandr Petrakov told reporters after the game, “I have no feelings. All my emotions have been left on the football pitch. This victory was not for me, not for the players, it was for us.” It was for the country.”
“We played for those who fight in the trenches, those who fight for the last drop of their blood. Yes, we have taken a small step towards our great goal. We still have the game of Wales before us and we will do everything.” . We are extremely proud Ukrainians.”
Ukraine travel to Wales on Thursday and have a quick turnaround to prepare for the playoff final in Cardiff.
CNN’s Michelle McCluskey and Josh Pennington contributed to this report.