In the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round Dynamo Kyiv met Cypriot side Pafos. In the first leg, played a week earlier in Lublin, Poland, Dynamo had suffered a narrow 1:0 defeat.
Coming into the match in good spirits after a 5:1 league win over Rukh Lviv, Dynamo were shocked early. In the 2nd minute a long pass released Dragomir down the right instead of shooting from a tight angle he pulled the ball back to Tanković. His first attempt was blocked, but on the second try he crossed to the far post, where Oršić tapped in for 1:0.
Pafos kept pressing, creating several dangerous chances. Dynamo responded in the 10th minute when Yarmolenko’s low cross found Buyalskyi, but the home goalkeeper saved. In the 13th minute Neshcheret denied the Pafos captain Tanković from close range.
Defensive mistakes from Dynamo gave the hosts two golden opportunities in the 25th minute. First Dubinchak misjudged a bounce allowing Correia through on goal, but he fired over. Seconds later Tymchyk’s poor back pass gifted Dragomir a one-on-one but Neshcheret intervened.
In the first half Dynamo hadn't many chances, the most notable being a long-range free-kick from Brazhko that was easily saved.
After the break Dynamo tried to push forward but failed to create much danger. In the 55th minute Pafos doubled their lead: Oršić burst into the box and lofted a cross to Correia, who volleyed in for 2:0.
Kabaiev had a good chance to pull one back after a cross from Yarmolenko but missed the target. Neshcheret later made another fine save from Tanković’s powerful shot. Pafos had more opportunities to seal the win, with Oršić and Anderson both going close.
In the final minutes Dynamo attempted a late push but without success. On the 90th minute Jaja missed a clear chance from the centre of the box after Neshcheret’s save.
So Dynamo are eliminated from the Champions League and will continue in the Europa League play-off round against the winner of the tie between Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and Hamrun Spartans (Malta).
UEFA Champions League, 3rd Qualifying Round, 2nd leg
12 August 2025, Limassol Stadium, Cyprus
Pafos (Cyprus) – Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) – 2:0
Pafos: 93. Michael – 77. Correia (11. Jaja, 67), 5. Goldar, 23. Luckassen, 2. Pileas (12. Sema, 85) – 22. Tankovic (c, 33. Anderson, 60), 26. Šunjić, 88. Pêpê – 17. Oršić (25. Langa, 84), 7. Bruno, 30. Dragomir (8. Quina, 67).
Dynamo: 35. Neshcheret – 18. Tymchyk, 4. Popov (40. Bilovar, 63), 32. Mykhavko, 44. Dubinchak (2. Vivcharenko, 46) – 6. Brazhko, 10. Shaparenko, 29. Buialskii (c, 39. Guerrero, 60), 7. Yarmolenko, 22. Kabaiev (9. Voloshyn, 78) – 11. Vanat (99. Ponomarenko, 78).
Goals: Oršić (2), Correia (55).
Booked: Quina (90+4) – Vanat (40).
