On Thursday, August 6, Dynamo Kyiv played the first leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round against Azerbaijani side Qarabag.
Both teams began this European campaign in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers but were eliminated in the previous round.
The visitors started the match brightly and created several good opportunities early on. First, Kashchuk fired straight at Surkis from a tight angle, and shortly afterwards Mouaddib came just inches away from curling the ball into the far corner from the right flank. Kashchuk had another chance when he was sent through on goal with a pass behind the defence, but the Ukrainian winger of Qarabag shot wide.
Dynamo made their response count in the 10th minute. The visiting goalkeeper played the ball out to a teammate, but Mykhavko intercepted it well, and Brazhko slipped a pass into the penalty area. A defender attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, but Ponomarenko burst in behind him and poked it into the net to make it 1:0.
After taking the lead, the White-Blues handed the initiative to their opponents but defended solidly, rarely allowing Qarabag’s players into dangerous areas. The visitors’ territorial dominance in the first half was reflected in the statistics: 66% to 34% possession in favour of the side from Agdam, a 5:2 advantage in shots, and 10:0 in corners.
At the same time, Dynamo could easily have doubled their lead before the break, but the goalkeeper did well to keep out Lonwijk’s powerful strike from the right side of the penalty area. At the other end, Kashchuk had a chance after meeting Silva’s header across goal at the far post, but failed to make contact with the ball.
The exchange of chances continued after the interval. Guerrero was particularly lively in attack and had two opportunities within a few minutes, but the Panamanian lacked accuracy on both occasions. For Qarabag, Kashchuk tried his luck with a curling effort from the right edge of the penalty area, but sent the ball straight into Surkis’ hands. Then, in the 69th minute, after Guerrero lost possession inside his own penalty area and Zoubir delivered a delicate cross, Dynamo’s goalkeeper failed to clear the danger, allowing Mouaddib a close-range opportunity, but he somehow missed the empty corner.
A minute later, the Dynamo coaching staff made several substitutions, with Shaparenko and Voloshyn among those introduced, immediately adding more energy to the attack. Barely a minute after coming on, Mykola raced clear from almost the halfway line, only to lose the sprint to the defender and waste an excellent chance. Shortly afterwards, Nazar was played into a good shooting position by Redushko, but Kochalski produced the save.
The closing stages were tense, with numerous fouls. For Dynamo, Kendziora and Shaparenko were both booked, while Qarabag’s Makretskis was shown a straight red card after catching Kabaiev in the face with a dangerously high boot.
In the end, Dynamo secured a 1:0 victory. The Kyiv side will defend their advantage in the return leg in Baku on August 13.
UEFA Conference League, 3rd qualifying round, first leg
Dynamo Kyiv (Kyiv, Ukraine) – Qarabag (Agdam, Azerbaijan) – 1:0 (1:0)
August 6, 2026. Lublin, Arena Lublin.
Dynamo Kyiv: 71. Surkis – 5. Sych, 94. Kędziora, 32. Mykhavko, 44. Dubinchak (18. Tymchyk, 70) – 6. Brazhko, 15. Rubchynskyi (8. Pikhalonok, 86), 21. Lonwijk (10. Shaparenko, 70), 70. Redushko (22. Kabaiev, 80), 39. Guerrero (9. Voloshyn, 70) – 11. Ponomarenko.
Qarabag: 99. Kochalski – 25. Makreckis, 2. Silva, 4. Várkonyi, 44. Jafarquliyev (5. Langa, 76) – 35. Bicallho (88. Lobato, 76), 8. Janković, 10. Zoubir, 7. Mouaddib, 29. Cephas (22. Gurbanli, 62) – 21. Kashchuk (20. Kady, 62).
Goal: Ponomarenko (10).
Bookings: Dubinchak (14), Kędziora (81), Shaparenko (90+5) – Silva (90+4).
Sent off: Makreckis (90).
