Andriy Yarmolenko Scores as Ukraine Beat Rivals Poland in Dead Rubber Friendly

Little more than pride was at stake for these nations, both of whom saw their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes ended by Sweden in the play offs back in March.

Each side was looking to the future, yet some familiar Polish faces helped them make the early running, although creating chances proved difficult. Robert Lewandowski watched in frustration as Nicola Zalewski’s cross flew across the goal in front of him, before Ukraine found the net through Viktor Tsygankov, whose celebrations were swiftly cut short by the offside flag.

Teenage winger Oskar Pietuszewski stood out on his first start for his country, but failed to beat the advancing Anatoliy Trubin when he was played through on goal. Sebastian Szymanski then fired over as the hosts’ pressure mounted, but their inability to capitalise saw them punished against the run of play.

Tsygankov won the ball in midfield and Roman Yaremchuk seized on it, driving forward before unleashing a shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner for his first international goal since November 2024. Ukraine’s momentum only grew from there, and Yehor Nazaryna whistled narrowly wide as they threatened to double their lead.

The visitors managed just that before the break through Andriy Yarmolenko, who marked his first cap since March 2025 by turning in Tsygankov’s low cross at the back post, bringing him within one goal of Andriy Shevchenko’s all time record of 48 goals for Ukraine.

No fewer than five changes were made by Poland boss Jan Urban at the break in response, one of which saw the largely anonymous Lewandowski withdrawn. Just as in the first half, the hosts started the second period quicker, yet they missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit. Mykola Matviyenko’s square pass across his own box was seized upon by half time substitute Karol Świderski, but he was denied at point blank range by Trubin.

Mateusz Żukowski failed with a late effort as Poland’s comeback ultimately never materialised, with this defeat only adding to the misery of missing out on a first World Cup finals since 2014. Ukraine, on the other hand, emerged victorious in their first game under Andrea Maldera, and could win back to back away matches for the first time since 2024 when they travel to Denmark next week.