Dynamo Kyiv made light work of Ħamrun Spartans, completing a 3-0 victory in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round to seal a 6-0 aggregate win. The match, played at the Arena Lublin in Poland, showcased Kyiv’s dominance from start to finish, as the Ukrainian giants maintained full control throughout.
Ħamrun struggled to find a foothold in the game and spent most of the first half pinned in their own half. Despite a few moments of disciplined defending, the Maltese side’s resistance finally crumbled on 29 minutes. A costly defensive error gifted Dynamo their opener when goalkeeper Henry Bonello passed to Vincenzo Polito, whose poor back pass was intercepted by Vladyslav Vanat. The forward rounded Bonello and slotted home.
Kyiv doubled their lead six minutes later with a slick attacking move. Mykola Shaparenko cut inside the box and laid the ball off for Volodymyr Brazhko, who made no mistake from close range.
Bonello was kept busy throughout the half and had to be at full stretch to deny a third before the interval, saving a dangerous effort from Oleksandr Karavayev.
After the break, Ħamrun made three changes, introducing Nikolai Micallef, Emerson Marcelina, and Eder in an attempt to shake things up. While the Spartans managed to register their first shot on target on the hour mark—a Polito header easily saved by Ruslan Neshcheret—it did little to change the flow of the game.
Dynamo continued to dominate possession without the urgency of the first half but still managed to add a third goal late on. In the 82nd minute, Taras Mykhavko pounced on a failed clearance from a corner to wrap up the win.
The victory sees Dynamo Kyiv progress to the third qualifying round, where they will face the winner of the tie between Pafos FC and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Ħamrun Spartans, meanwhile, drop into the UEFA Europa League, where they await the loser of that same tie.
Match Stats
Final Score: Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 Ħamrun Spartans
Aggregate: Dynamo Kyiv 6-0 Ħamrun Spartans
Scorers:
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Vanat (29′)
-
Brazhko (35′)
-
Mykhavko (82′)
Dynamo Kyiv XI:
R. Neshcheret, O. Karavayev (73′ O. Tymchyk), K. Bilovar, T. Mykhavko, K. Vivcharenko, M. Shaparenko, V. Brazhko, O. Pikhalonok (73′ O. Yatsyk), V. Kabaiev (46′ V. Supryaha), V. Vanat (46′ M. Ponomarenko), N. Voloshyn (80′ M. Braharu)
Ħamrun Spartans XI:
H. Bonello, R. Camenzuli (46′ N. Micallef), V. Polito, O. Bjelicic, R. Compri, R. Mihana (46′ E. Marcelina), M. Garcia (46′ Eder), J. Cadjenovic, J. Mbong (87′ S. Thioune), D. Simkus, N. Koffi (73′ Djile)
Referee: Laase Graagard (Denmark)
Sports Editor
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