Scotland 1-3 Ukraine FULL TIME: Emotional evening at Hampden ends in disappointment for Scotland as visitors head for weekend in Wales

Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko scores to make it 1-0 during a FIFA World Cup Play-Off Semi Final between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park, on June 01, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Ukraine are the visitors to Hampden in the first of two matches which will decide Europe’s final participants in Qatar this November.

Scotland or Ukraine will progress through this evening’s play-off semi-final to face Wales, who overcame Austria in March and have awaited the winners of this delayed semi-final – postponed due to the conflict in Ukraine and ongoing Russian invasion. The winner on Sunday will head to the gulf state later this year and join in Group B with England, Iran and Team USA.

Hampden is a sell-out for the must-see match and The Scotsman will be in place to bring you all the build-up, live coverage, post-match reaction and key analysis from Scotland’s crucial qualifier on the road to Cardiff and Qatar.

Refresh below for the latest updates from the National Stadium as we follow Scotland’s World Cup bid into tonight’s highly charged play-off on the southside of Glasgow.

Scotland 1 Ukraine 3: FULL TIME

Key Events

FULL TIME: Scotland 1 Ukraine 3
World Cup 2022 play-off semi-final - Ukraine to face Wales on Sunday
SCOTLAND: Gordon, Robertson, Hickey, Hanley, Cooper (Hendry 68), McTominay, Gilmour (Armstrong 68), McGregor, McGinn, Dykes (Christie 46), Adams.

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 15:22 BST

Welcome

Hello and welcome to The Scotsman’s live blog coverage of Scotland’s vital World Cup play-off against Ukraine.

It promises to be an emotionally charged evening on the southside of Glasgow given the opposition and what’s at stake so let us take you through the build-up, the match and the reaction.

And we might even be back on Sunday... fingers crossed.

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 15:34 BST

Scotsman football show

Here’s Matthew Elder previewing tonight’s big match with football writers Andrew Smith and Joel Sked.

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 15:36 BSTUpdated 15:39 BST

Scotland squad

Steve Clarke faces one of his biggest selections in his managerial career- Scottish or otherwise. Here’s a look at the players at his disposal

Scotland squad in full to face Ukraine in World Cup qualifier play-off at Hampden

Steve Clarke has named his Scotland squad for the biggest game in the Tartan Army’s calendar since Serbia – Ukraine at Hampden in the World Cup play-off next month.

*though since his initial selection Allan Campbell has replaced the injured Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack.

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:01 BSTUpdated 16:53 BST

Andrew Smith comment

Scotland v Ukraine debate: It is their flawed reasoning that is, in itself, offensive and disrespectful - Andrew Smith

It can’t be easy to contest a World Cup qualifier when your country has been ravaged by air strikes responsible for appalling death and destruction, and an intolerable humanitarian crisis.

Ukrainian players and their staff possess motivations beyond mere qualification for a football tournament, and will crave giving their beleaguered countryfolk a fillip in these horrific times. But what happens on a grass field in Mount Florida ultimately won’t alter one jot the struggle for their autonomy; their very lives.

Andrew Smith, Specialist football writer

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:11 BST

IN QUOTES

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Scottish national team - to the coaching staff, players, to the whole Scottish people - who have provided Ukraine with this incredible help,” he said. I have spoken with some of the players and coaching staff before and they have expressed their feelings towards Ukraine, for which we are very grateful.
Our mood, I would describe as a fighting mood, because everyone understands what is going on in Ukraine these days, what the situation is like on the ground. That’s why I would say our motivation is definitely 100 per cent to win.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:16 BST

Support

There’s been a lot of support for Ukraine from Scotland - in delaying tonight’s match to the humanitarian effort.

That might not extend to the 90 minutes from 7.45pm but there has still been a warm welcome today and even as far back as March when Scotland’s friendly with Poland raised money for victims of the conflict.

Here’s one of the welcomes today at Kelvingrove Art Galleries in Glasgow.

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:21 BST

Che Adams: My regret on Scotland timing and how I might not be playing at Hampden at all

Interview by Stephen Halliday - CLICK HERE

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:37 BSTUpdated 16:50 BST

Three hours to go...

There are three hours to go until Hampden is a cauldron of noise and expectation.

Steve Clarke has still to reveal his team - but it looks like he’ll line up without Everton’s Nathan Patterson -- CLICK HERE

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:03 BST

Key battles

Stephen Halliday looks at where the match could be won and lost...

Scotland v Ukraine - the key contests in World Cup play-off semi-final at Hampden

As Steve Clarke’s squad bid to lead Scotland back to the World Cup finals after a 24-year absence, Ukraine stand between them and a place in the play-off final against Wales in Cardiff next Sunday.

Wed, 01 Jun, 2022, 16:39 BSTUpdated 17:50 BST

What if?

Of course, we’ll need to defeat Ukraine first - but what happens then?

We’d be on the way to Cardiff, not Qatar.

The winners tonight will play Wales on Sunday night with the winner of THAT game going to November’s World Cup.

Here are the details you need... CLICK HERE