Dynamo U19, who are the only team still representing Ukraine in euro cups this season, faced Deportivo away in the UEFA Youth League play-off round.
The start of the game was spectacular. Supported by 20 thousand fans, home side opened the score. Hernandez eluded Filatov after corner, Figeroa obtained the ball, unleashed the strike, Ihnatenko parried it, but Najera was there to hit the target.
Kyivans equalized in a few minutes after corner too. Diachuk hit the post after cross by Bliznichenko and Tsarenko scored with a follow-up – 1:1 in the 6th minute!
Deportivo took the lead again twenty minutes later. Ihnatenko was too late to pass to defenders and let Lopez make is 2:1 with a tackle.
In the 36th minute Lopez got his second booking and was sent off. Diallo took a free kick, but the ball went a bit wide.
Dynamo tried to equalize again before the break, but home side defended orderly and made our team lose possession frequently.
Early in the second half opponents exchanged chances. Goalkeeper didn’t let Vivcharenko shoot while Ihnatenko parried the strike by Guerra.
Bliznichenko had a great opportunity after pass from Yatsyk, but goalkeeper Suarez coped with his shot. Mella responded with decent attempt from distance that fortunately wasn’t accurate.
The situation changed when Yatsyk obtained the ball in the left wing, moved towards the center and hit the upper V from 30-meter distance – 2:2!
Dynamo had more chances in the second half while Depirtivo definitely were killing the clock and hoping for penalties.
Kyivans’ previous shootouts in this competition were failures, but this time the White-Blues succeeded. Only Diallo didn’t score while Ihnatenko parried shots by Guerra and Barcia. Rodriguez hit the bar.
So, Dynamo qualify for the next stage! The round of 16 drawing will take place on February 14 in Nyon.
UEFA Youth League. Play-off round
Deportivo de La Coruna – FC Dynamo Kyiv – 2:2 (2:3 on penalties)
09.02.2022. La Coruna, Riazor, 20 115 spectators
Deportivo: Suarez (c), Diaz (Teijo, 85), Rodriguez, Barcia, Figeroa, Najera (Guerra, 46), Noriega, R. Lopez, Hernandez (Ochoa, 74), Mella (Gomez, 90), N. Lopez (Mendez, 46).
Dynamo: Ihnatenko, Tanchak, Filatov, Diachuk, Vivcharenko, Yatsyk (c), Tsarenko, Skrypnyk (Mehdi, 64), Bliznichenko, Diallo, Popov.
Goals: Najera (4), R. Lopez (25) – Tsarenko (6), Yatsyk (75).
Booked: R. Lopez (22), Rodrigues (78), Suarez (87) – Yatsyk (40), Diachuk (41), Popov (78).
Sent off: R. Lopez (36, second booking)
Penalty shootout: Ochoa (1:0), Popov (1:1), Guerra (1:1, goalkeeper), Diallo (1:1, goalkeeper), Gomez (2:1), Mehdi (2:2), Barcia (2:2, goalkeeper), Vivcharenko (2:3), Rodriguez (2:3, crossbar).
