Callum McGregor gave the sell-out home crowd hope on the southside of Glasgow with a second-half goal, but by then it was already an uphill struggle for Scotland who had fallen behind in a sleepy first half.
A sumptuous little lob from Andriy Yarmolenko beat goalkeeper Craig Gordon just after half an hour, but the Scotland number one had been busy already making a series of stops to ensure the score was just one at the interval.
Roman Yaremchuk scored a header early in the second half and though Scotland rallied in the second half the deficit was too great to overcome on an emotional evening for the visitors who now head to Cardiff and, perhaps, Qatar.
They rounded it off with a late third on the counter-attack from substitute Artem Dovbyk as Scotland’s players pressed forward seeking extra-time and an extension to the World Cup dream.
Here’s how they rated.
Roman Yaremchuk scored a header early in the second half and though Scotland rallied in the second half the deficit was too great to overcome on an emotional evening for the visitors who now head to Cardiff and, perhaps, Qatar.
9. Billy Gilmour - 4
Young midfielder looked short of confidence and fitness. Unable to pierce Ukraine's lines and misplaced too many passes. Came off for Armstrong. 4 Photo: Stu Forster
10. Che Adams - 5
Improved when leading the line on his own. Kept running channels and forced a save out of Bushchan. 5 Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
11. Lyndon Dykes - 3
Looked uncomfortable in a pair with Adams. Clumsy first touch and booked right before half-time for a flailing elbow. Replaced by Christie at the interval. 3 Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
