On Saturday, October 18, in the 9th round of the VBET Ukrainian Premier League Dynamo Kyiv faced Zorya Luhansk. Although the game was officially an away fixture for the capital side, it was played at Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium in Kyiv.
From the opening minutes both teams demonstrated attacking intent. Zorya created the first chance when Andusic tested Neshcheret with a shot from distance. Dynamo quickly responded – Voloshyn cut inside from the left and struck dangerously, the ball flying just wide after a deflection.
On the 12th minute Popov found the net following a corner but the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. Soon after Dynamo intensified their pressure. Buyalskyi and Voloshyn both came close but the Zorya keeper denied them.
Despite Dynamo’s territorial advantage, Zorya could have taken the lead before halftime – Neshcheret made a crucial save against Andusic after Popov’s mistake in midfield. The teams went into the break with the score level at 0:0.
After the restart Dynamo continued to dominate. Guerrero and Pikhalonok had clear chances but Saputin in Zorya’s goal was alert. Persistence finally paid off in the 61st minute: Karavaiev burst down the right wing and delivered a precise cross for Buyalskyi who struck first-time into the far corner – 0:1.
Having gone ahead, Dynamo kept pressing. Substitute Blănuță could have doubled the lead but shot too weakly while Thiare was also denied by the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
The missed chances proved costly. In the 84th minute Andusic delivered a cross from the right and Budkivskyi escaped his marker to head the ball past Neshcheret – 1:1.
In the closing minutes Dynamo pushed forward in search of a winner but could not break down Zorya’s defense. The final whistle confirmed another draw – the fifth in a row for Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s team.
Dynamo’s next match will take place on Thursday, October 23, away against Samsunspor (Turkey) in the UEFA Europa Conference League main round.
Ukrainian Premier League, Round 9
October 18, 2025 – Kyiv, Valeriy Lobanovskyi Stadium
Zorya – Dynamo – 1:1 (0:0)
Zorya: Saputin, Perduta, Jordan, Yanich, Junior Reis, Popara (Michin, 75), Kushnirenko, Slesar (Basic, 75), Vantukh (Dryshliuk, 90+3), Andusic, Budkivskyi (Gorbach, 90+1).
Dynamo: Neshcheret, Karavaiev, Popov, Thiare, Vivcharenko, Mykhailenko, Pikhalonok (Brazhko, 72), Buyalskyi (c) (Yarmolenko, 82), Voloshyn (Kabaiev, 82), Ogundana, Guerrero (Blănuță, 72).
Goals: Budkivskyi (84) – Buyalskyi (61)
Booked: Junior Reis (43), Kushnirenko (53) – Voloshyn (54), Mykhailenko (87).
