On Wednesday, May 20, the final match of the 2025/2026 VBET Ukrainian Cup took place in Lviv at Arena Lviv. In the decisive clash for the trophy Dynamo Kyiv faced First League representatives Chernihiv, with “White-Blues” playing as the nominal away side.
The start of the match was delayed by 10 minutes due to an air raid alert announced in Lviv and the surrounding region. As for Dynamo’s starting lineup it was pleasing to see the return of striker Matvii Ponomarenko who had missed several recent matches through injury.
Dynamo predictably took control of possession from opening minutes, effectively pinning their opponents in their own half and methodically looking for ways to break through. The first shot on goal came from Ponomarenko who met Ogundana’s cross from the flank but goalkeeper collected the ball. In the next attack, in the 14th minute, the ball found the net after a strike from Buialskii from the left edge of the penalty area but referee disallowed the goal for offside.
That did not discourage Dynamo who continued their steady pressure. Ogundana unleashed a powerful shot after a solo run down the left flank but goalkeeper saved with his leg. Soon after Voloshyn, finishing a cross from Buialskii, fired over the bar from close range, and goalkeeper made a mistake while clearing the ball from his own area, only to recover by saving Ponomarenko’s effort.
In the 21st minute the woodwork came to Chernihiv’s rescue as Brazhko struck powerfully from outside the penalty area after collecting a loose ball, with the goalkeeper getting a touch to tip it onto the crossbar. But in the 26th minute Dynamo finally opened the scoring. Ogundana burst into the penalty area from the left flank, exchanged passes with Buialskii, and cut the ball back from the byline. A defender’s touch sent it toward the penalty spot where Dynamo's captain arrived and smashed it into the roof of the net – 0:1.
Few minutes later Voloshyn could have doubled the lead but his shot from the right side of the box toward the far corner was saved by the goalkeeper. It seemed “White-Blues” would now have an easier time but in the 34th minute Chernihiv unexpectedly equalized. Shalfieiev delivered a free-kick cross into the box and an unmarked Romanchenko headed the ball into the top corner off the bounce – 1:1.
Dynamo tried to regain the lead before halftime and had chances to do so. Shaparenko met Ponomarenko’s low cross but goalkeeper reacted brilliantly from close range, while Buialskii’s shot from the center of the box was blocked by a defender right in front of the goal line.
Right before the whistle Chernihiv had a golden chance when Bezborodko broke into the left side of the box almost one-on-one with Neshcheret but he missed the far corner. So teams went into the break level.
Dynamo came out for the second half determined to score and avoid taking the game to penalties. Ponomarenko first fired into the stands from the right side of the six-yard box after Voloshyn’s pass but in the 53rd minute “White-Blues” took the lead again. Dynamo put together a fine move: Karavaiev crossed low from the right, Shaparenko continued the move, Ponomarenko cleverly laid the ball off into the center of the penalty area, and Buialskii finished first-time into the corner – 1:2.
After taking the lead Ihor Kostiuk’s side calmed the tempo while fresh players entered the field for both teams. In the 70th minute it was two substitutes who combined for the goal. Yarmolenko chased down a diagonal ball on the right edge of the box, played a one-two with Guerrero, dribbled past Kartushov inside the area and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper – 1:3.
Even with a comfortable advantage “White-Blues” continued to dominate possession and initiative, giving their opponents no chance to revive the intrigue. Vivcharenko broke into the box from the left and aimed for the near corner but goalkeeper saved for a corner. Later Pikhalonok curled the ball directly toward goal from a corner kick but goalkeeper once again produced an outstanding save to tip it away.
Final minutes were played in heavy rain with Dynamo continuing to attack but no more goals were scored. In the end it finished 3:1 – a victory for Dynamo who became 14-time winners of the Ukrainian Cup!
VBET Ukrainian Cup, final
20.05.2026. Lviv, Arena Lviv
Chernihiv – Dynamo – 1:3 (1:1)
Chernihiv: 35. Tatarenko (c), 12. Kartushov, 23. Zenchenko, 55. Romanchenko, 2. Halstian, 8. Bibyk, 38. Shushko (7. Myronenko, 59), 6. Shalfieiev (10. Koidan, 69), 33. Porokhnia (9. Kulyk, 69), 77. Serdiuk (24. Didok, 87), 21. Bezborodko (13. Bezghubchenko, 59).
Dynamo: 35. Neshcheret, 20. Karavaiev, 40. Bilovar (34. Zakharchenko, 85), 32. Mykhavko, 2. Vivcharenko, 6. Brazhko, 9. Voloshyn, 29. Buialskii (c, 91. Mykhailenko, 74), 10. Shaparenko (8. Pikhalonok, 56), 16. Ogundana (7. Yarmolenko, 56), 11. Ponomarenko (39. Guerrero, 56).
Goals: Romanchenko (34) – Buialskii (26, 53), Yarmolenko (70).
Booked: Kartushov (26), Halstian (60), Koidan (85).
