Dynamo Kyiv began the new 2026/2027 Ukrainian championship season from the second round, as the first-round match against Livyi Bereh was postponed until December 2. In the match in question, the “white and blues” played away against Rivne side Veres.
The match began with both teams going forward – the hosts immediately showed that they had no intention of simply sitting back in defense. Although the first chance was created by the visitors, when on the 7th minute Buyalskyi, connecting with a cross from the right flank, missed the far corner.
But on the 15th minute, Dynamo could have faced serious problems when Bilovar stopped Blair’s run from almost the halfway line with a foul, with the striker practically one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, considering that Tiare was moving alongside him, the referee only cautioned Dynamo's centre-back.
This episode gave the Rivne side confidence – in particular, on the 19th minute Fabricio headed a cross from the right flank, but failed to hit the target. However, Dynamo managed to move the game away from their own goal, and chances began to appear at the hosts’ end. If on the 24th minute Brazhko’s long-range effort went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands, a few minutes later Yarmolenko cleverly laid the ball off for Buyalskyi inside the penalty area, but the “white and blue” captain, under active pressure from a defender, fired over the crossbar.
And on the 38th minute the deadlock was broken. Following a corner, Bilovar won the aerial duel and hit the post, from which the ball bounced back into play. Tymchyk was first to the rebound and, with his left foot, fired past the goalkeeper into the corner – 0:1.
Credit must go to the hosts for not giving up even after conceding. Just before halftime, they had a real chance to equalize. On the 45th minute Stamoulis delivered a cross from the right flank, Blair attempted an overhead kick while falling, but hit the crossbar, and none of his teammates managed to capitalize on the rebound.
After the break, the Veres players continued to look for opportunities around the Dynamo goal. If on the 52nd minute Surkis dealt with Fabricio’s effort from the right side of the penalty area, a minute later, following a corner, the Dynamo goalkeeper reacted to Haratin’s header but, unfortunately, could not prevent the ball from crossing the goal line – 1:1.
Of course, dropping points was not part of the “white and blues’” plans. The experienced Yarmolenko was active in attack, leading his younger teammates. In one episode, the winger headed the ball towards goal from the right side of the penalty area, but the ball landed on top of the net, and shortly afterwards Andriy connected with Buyalskyi’s pass from a tight angle, but this time the goalkeeper made the save.
Considering the course of events on the field, it seemed that the match would end in a draw. But on the 90th minute, Ponomarenko’s through ball sent Malysh into a shooting position, and Stamoulis brought him down. The referee immediately awarded a penalty. Ponomarenko stepped up to the spot and confidently converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper and the ball into opposite corners – 1:2. Almost immediately after play resumed, the final whistle was blown.
Thus, Dynamo began the new UPL season with a hard-fought away victory. The “white and blues” will remain in Rivne for another day, hold another training session, and then travel to Baku for the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Conference League against Qarabag.
UPL Championship. Matchday 2
Veres – Dynamo – 1:2 (0:1)
09.08.2026. Rivne, Avanhard Stadium
Veres: 91. Horokh – 22. Stamoulis, 14. Kharatin 44. Checher, 3. Vovchenko, 2. Smiian (53. Andrey Santos, 90+3) – 88. Baran (6. Niyo, 71), 7. Fabricio, 19. Goncalves, 77. Sharai – 9. Bler (20. Wally, 87).
Dynamo: 71. Surkis – 5. Sych, 40. Bilovar, 66. Thiare (32. Mykhavko, 58), 18. Tymchyk (23. Malysh, 69) – 6. Brazhko (21. Lonwijk, 46), 10. Shaparenko, 29. Buialskii, 7. Yarmolenko (22. Kabaiev, 78), 9. Voloshyn – 99. Mounguengue (11. Ponomarenko, 58).
Goals: Kharatin (53) – Tymchyk (38), Ponomarenko (90+2, penalty).
Booked: Checher (16), Vovchenko (22), Sharai (74) – Bilovar (15), Lonwijk (56).
