In the opening round of the 2025/2026 Ukrainian Premier League season Dynamo Kyiv secured a narrow 1:0 away win over Veres Rivne.
Before kickoff UPL president Yevhen Dykyi presented individual awards for the previous season. Dynamo players received three of them: Vladyslav Vanat was named both Best Player and Top Scorer, while Taras Mykhavko was recognized as Best Young Player.
The only goal of the match came in the 14th minute: Andriy Yarmolenko set up Vladyslav Vanat who crossed into the box for Mykola Shaparenko to score from close range.
Both sides created chances throughout the match. Veres threatened with long-range efforts and set pieces while Dynamo maintained control and could have added to the lead through opportunities for Yarmolenko, Vanat and Shaparenko.
Despite late pressure from Veres, including a dangerous shot from Hodia in the 80th minute, Dynamo held on. Goalkeeper Ruslan Neshcheret made key saves and a last-minute block from Ihor Kharatin denied Vladyslav Vanat a second goal.
Dynamo Kyiv begin their title defense with a hard-fought away win and now return to Lublin to prepare for their Champions League qualifier against Pafos (Cyprus) on Tuesday.
Ukrainian Premier League. Round 1
Veres – Dynamo – 0:1 (0:1).
Veres: 91. Horokh – 22. Stamoulis, 33. Honcharenko (4. Cipot, 71), 3. Vovchenko, 2. Smiian – 14. Kharatin (к), 29. Kucherov (10. Kliots, 64), 18. Boiko, 26. Sten (8. Hodia, 80), 77. Sharai (6. Kutsia, 64) – 30. Ndukwe (20. Wally, 71).
«Динамо»: 35. Neshcheret – 18. Tymchyk, 4. Popov (40. Bilovar, 60), 32. Mykhavko, 44. Dubinchak – 91. Mykhailenko, 10. Shaparenko (6. Brazhko, 76), 8. Pikhalonok, 7. Yarmolenko (к, 99. Ponomarenko, 76), 22. Kabaiev (9. Voloshyn, 46) – 11. Vanat.
Goal: Shaparenko (14).
Booked: Honcharenko (27).
