Dynamo Kyiv edged out LNZ 2-1 in a tightly contested match on March 6, 2025, during the 20th round of the Ukrainian Premier League, with the victory culminating thanks to a late own goal.
The match started with Dynamo taking charge almost immediately. They opened the scoring early on, with defender Konstantin Vivcharenko netting his first goal since the 2022/23 season at just 11 minutes, heading the ball past LNZ's goalkeeper Ruslan Neshcheret from close range.
Despite the early setback, LNZ fought back valiantly. They managed to equalize through Mukharrem Yashari, who, following a brilliant long pass from Aidi Daiko, timed his approach perfectly to chip the ball over the advancing Neshcheret, scoring just after the restart at the 49th minute.
After this, the game ebbed and flowed as both teams sought to take control. Dynamo, pushing hard for the win, created numerous chances, but LNZ held strong. Key plays from LNZ's goalkeeper Eugene Kucherenko kept their hopes alive as he made several important saves, thwarting attempts by fresh Dynamo substitutes like Alexander Pihalenko and Eduardo Guerrero.
With the clock winding down, the intensity reached new heights. Then came the dramatic twist: Dynamo's Vladimir Brazhko unleashed a shot toward goal around the 89th minute. The strike wasn’t particularly strong, but it hit LNZ's Ilya Putrya, who unfortunately diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper, handing Dynamo the win.
To add to the dramatic atmosphere, air raid sirens began blaring over the stadium during the final moments of the match, creating chaos. The referee decided to allow play to continue, even as the announcer urged fans to seek shelter. Amidst this tension, Dynamo held onto their lead, clinching the victory just as the sirens sounded off, reflecting the harsh realities faced outside the pitch.
Following this win, Dynamo continues to hold the top position in the UPL standings, amassing 50 points from 20 matches. LNZ, now with 22 points, finds themselves sitting 10th, with their next match scheduled against Kolos on March 16.
After their previous draw against Vorskla Poltava, which had surprised many, this victory was imperative for Dynamo. Coach Alexander Shovkovskiy emphasized after the match the importance of staying focused and maintaining their leading position as the championship race tightens.
“Dynamo Kyiv managed to bounce back from last week and demonstrated determination throughout the match,” said Shovkovskiy, commending his players for their resolve. Likewise, LNZ's coach, Roman Hryhorchuk, remarked on the competitiveness of the match and noted the resilience of his squad, stating, “We showed we can compete at this level; we just need to be more clinical next time.”
Despite the disappointment of conceding an own goal, LNZ's solid showing suggests they can continue to improve as the season progresses, marking just the beginning of what they hope will be momentum for future matches.
This match points to not only the fierce rivalry between the teams but also reflects on the spirit of Ukrainian football, where every match carries the weight of competitive urgency, alongside the fraught environment affecting all aspects of life.
Next, as both teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures, all eyes will be on Dynamo as they look to defend their top position against rivals Zorya on March 11, whereas LNZ hopes to bounce back against Kolos. The dynamics of the league continue to be thrilling, setting fans up for what promises to be another exciting round of football.