Scotland vs Ukraine LIVE: World Cup play-off result, final score and reaction as Ukraine triumph

Scotland and Ukraine finally meet on Wednesday night in a long-delayed Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off semi-final clash, with the winners set to progress to face Wales for the final Uefa-zone spot in the finals. The two nations were due to originally play in late March, but the invasion of Ukraine by Russia led to a postponement and now, as the war in that country approaches its 100th day, an emotional occasion is set to unfold.

While Steve Clarke and his side have been entirely respectful of the situation in Ukraine, the Scotland boss knows his side have a job to do and wants the home crowd to help them achieve it.

Meanwhile, legendary striker Andriy Shevchenko says the entire nation’s morale will be the only push Ukraine’s players need. “The motivation is incredible. In my opinion, we need to put the result away and just focus on the game. We need to play for the fans, for the whole of Ukraine, for those at home, for those defending the country and for those who left the country,” he said.

Follow all the action live below as Scotland face Ukraine in the World Cup play-off semi-final:

Scotland vs Ukraine World Cup play-off updates

• FULL-TIME! Scotland 1-3 Ukraine

• 90’ - GOAL! Dovbyk adds late third (1-3)

• 79’ - GOAL! McGregor pulls one back after a goalkeeping error (1-2)

• 49’ - GOAL! Yaremchuk header doubles the lead (0-2)

• 33’ - GOAL! Sublime lobbed finish from Yarmolenko puts Ukraine ahead (0-1)

• 18’ - SAVE! Gordon brilliantly denies Yarmolenko from close range (0-0)

• Ukraine will play Wales for a place at the 2022 World Cup

Scotland 1 - 3 Ukraine

Full-time: Scotland 1-3 Ukraine

21:42 , Michael Jones

90+6 mins: Scotland’s wait to reach the World Cup goes on. Ukraine have beaten them in the World Cup play-off semi-final. The visitors were the better side, the best team won and they’ll now face Wales on Sunday for a place at Qatar.

GOAL! Scotland 1-3 Ukraine (Dovbyk, 90+5’)⚽️

21:40 , Michael Jones

90+5 mins: It’s all over. Scotland throw everyone forward and Ukraine clear their lines and Zinchenko picks out Artem Dovbyk. He drives into the box, is one-on-one with the goalkeeper and slots it home.

Ukraine have beaten Scotland at Hampden Park!

Scotland 1-2 Ukraine

21:37 , Michael Jones

90+2 mins: Zinchenko twists and weaves his way to the edge of the box before setting it up for Zubkov to shoot but he fires his chance wide of the target.

Two minutes to play.

Scotland 1-2 Ukraine

21:36 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play. Scotland win a corner that John McGinn loops high into the box. Grant Hanley shuffles back but meets it with a header that he directs wide of the post!

Scotland 1-2 Ukraine

21:34 , Michael Jones

88 mins: Substitute Mykola Shaparenko goes into the referee’s book. Time is running out for Scotland. Can they get another one?

Scotland 1-2 Ukraine

21:31 , Michael Jones

85 mins: Ukraine have all but one of their players behind the ball as Scotland push for an equaliser that would take the match to extra time. John McGinn tries to slide Aaron Hickey into the box but over does the pass and sends it out for a goal kick.

Scotland 1-2 Ukraine

21:27 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Brilliant work from McGregor to sprint back and cut short a Ukrainian counter-attack! There’s no time for Scotland to concede again and that is a vital challenge from the midfielder.

Ukraine will be doing everything they can to take time out of the game now.

GOAL! Scotland 1-2 Ukraine (McGregor, 79’)⚽️

21:23 , Michael Jones

79 mins: They’ve got one back! It’s a scrappy, scrappy goal but none of the Scottish players care. Bushchan is charged down by Scott McTominay and he flaps the ball away. John McGinn tries to control it but tips it to the edge of the box where Callum McGregor smokes a shot at goal. Bushchan spills the ball once again and it bursts through his hands before bouncing into the net. Stepanenko throws himself at the ball and boots it clear but the referee gets word that the ball crossed the line and Scotland are back in the game!

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:21 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Chances! A counter-attacking from Scotland sees them boot the ball up to Che Adams who takes on the defenders and shimmies into the box. He shoots and forces Bushchan into a sharp save but the ball bounces out to McGinn. He runs onto a first time strike but Matviyenko gets in the way and deflects it over the crossbar!

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:17 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Chance! Scotland work the ball around the Ukrainian defence quite well as McTominay links up with Christie who feeds it up to Armstrong. He shifts the ball from his right to his left foot then whacks a soft low effort at Bushchan who keeps it out.

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:14 , Michael Jones

70 mins: It’s a double change from Steve Clarke. Stuart Armstrong and Jack Hendry are brought on to replace Liam Cooper and Billy Gilmour.

The momentum is with Scotland. Can they score and set up a tense last 20 minutes?

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:12 , Michael Jones

67 mins: How has he missed?! Ryan Christie brings the ball down the right side and shifts it to the corner of the box before feeding in Scott McTominay. He shoots from narrow angle and forces Bushchan to flap the ball away. It comes to John McGinn who has time to pick out his spot but knocks his header wide of the right-hand post! That was the chance for Scotland to get back in the game.

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:10 , Michael Jones

64 mins: There are a lot of worried faces on the Scottish fans around Hampden Park but Scotland are finding more space in Ukraine’s final third. Christie swings a cross to the back post where Robertson arrives. He can’t pick out a teammate with the cutback and the visitors clear their lines.

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:08 , Michael Jones

61 mins: Chance! That’s better from Scotland. John McGinn works the ball through midfield and slides it up to Christie who threads it through the lines and finds Adams. He looks offside but the flag stays down. Adams can’t quite get the ball nder control but manages to flick it out to Christie on the left side of the box where he drills a low shot at goal and is denied by Bushchan.

Then the flag is raised so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:02 , Michael Jones

58 mins: Chance! That would have been fortunate! Ukraine send a pacey pass back to Heorhiy Bushchan who miscontrols the ball. Callum McGregor comes sweeping into the box as the goalkeeper tries to boot the ball clear. McGregor closes him down but the ball deflects off the midfielder and bounces wide of the target!

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

21:00 , Michael Jones

55 mins: Tsygankov floats a corner kick over to the far side of the box and it drops nicely for Karavaev to smoke one on the volley. He gets a good chunk of the ball but the effort continues to rise and flies over the crossbar.

Scotland 0-2 Ukraine

20:57 , Michael Jones

52 mins: Save! Yarmolenko has a chance to add another goal to his tally but his effort is kept out by Craig Gordon. Another goal or the visitors would kill off this game and Scotland can’t get possession.

It’s all one-way traffic at the minute as Ukraine win a corner.

GOAL! Scotland 0-2 Ukraine (Yaremchuk, 49’)⚽️

20:53 , Michael Jones

49 mins: Massive goal! Illya Zabarnyi steps up through midfield and brings the ball down the inside right channel before passing it to Yarmolenko and continuing into the box. Yarmolenko lays the ball off to Karavaev who swings a cross to the back post. Yaremchuk peels away from Hickey, meets the ball in the air and guides his header into the bottom corner!

Ukrain double their lead at Hampden Park.

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:53 , Michael Jones

47 mins: Ukraine have started the second half on the front foot. Stepanenko slides a pass behind Aaron Hickey and Scott McTominay into the Scottish box as Roman Yaremchuk sprints in behind. He collects the ball and carries it to the byline before being forced wide by Grant Hanley.

Second half: Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:49 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Ryan Christie replaces Lyndon Dykes at half-time for Scotland. Ukraine get the game back underway and attempt to move down the right wing only to dink the ball out of play.

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:47 , Michael Jones

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:42 , Michael Jones

Andriy Yarmolenko has scored his 45th goal for Ukraine, and is now only three goals behind the country’s all-time top scorer, Andriy Shevchenko (48).

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:38 , Michael Jones

Not a huge amount, but certainly enough boos to take note off. Scotland need a response, what words of encouragement can Steve Clarke muster at the break?

Half-time: Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:35 , Michael Jones

45 mins: The break comes at Hampden Park. Craig Gordon made two spectacular saves to deny Ukraine early on but a fantastic move between Malinovskyi and Yarmolenko has put the visitors in front after 45 minutes.

Scotland have work to do now. Can they get back into the match in the second half?

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:31 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Malinovskyi collects the ball in the middle of the pitch and drives up the field. He cuts further inside and draws in four defenders. Tsygankov is wide open on the left wing but Malinovskyi decides to go it alone and hooks a left-footed effort wide of the far post.

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:29 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Andy Robertson tries to drive Scotland forward but the skipper is eventually crowded out with very few options ahead of him to pick out.

Lyndon Dykes presses to the edge of the box but Ukraine work the ball easily away.

Scotland 0-1 Ukraine

20:25 , Michael Jones

36 mins: That was a glorious goal from Ukraine and deserved on the balance of things. They’ve probably had the better chances. Steve Clarke’s men have to respond now. They’ve got time but they need more discipline off the ball to hold their shape.

GOAL! Scotland 0-1 Ukraine (Yarmolenko, 33’)⚽️

20:20 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Ukraine lead! What a run this is from Andriy Yarmolenko. Scotland’s defensive line push up the pitch but Grant Hanley is slightly behind the rest of them. Ruslan Malinovskyi drops deep into his own half and spots Yarmolenko starting his run. He floats the ball over the top and shocks the Scottish back three.

Yarmolenko brings the ball under control with a great first touch as Craig Gordon comes flying off his line. Yarmolenko flicks it over the keeper and the shot dips under the crossbar finishing in the back of the net!

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

20:16 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Nearly. Zinchenko tries to flick the ball into the Scotland box but McTominay heads it out to Dykes who brings it under control, spins away from a tackle and drives up the pitch. He sends the ball to Adams who brings it inside and attempts to pick out Robertson’s counter-attacking run but underhits his pass and gives the ball back to the visitors.

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

20:11 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Robertson flicks another cross into the box looking for Che Adams. He squeezes in front of Vitaliy Mykolenko and goes down under the slightest contact looking for a penalty that doesn’t come. The Ukrainian left-back doesn’t look too impressed with that display of acting.

Chance! Now it’s Scotland’s time to put the pressure on. Robertson feeds the ball to Adams who lays it off to McGregor. He dances down the left side of the box and pulls it back to John McGinn who smokes his first time effort over the crossbar!

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

20:08 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Close! Ukraine are outclassing Scotland now. Yarmolenko tricks his way to the right edge of the box before cutting inside and flicking the ball back to Karavaev. Karavaev laces the ball into the middle of the box where Yarmechuk meets it and fires his effort wide of goal.

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

20:05 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Incredible from Gordon! Ukraine sweep into the box from the left and square the ball to Roma Yaremchuk. He brings it under control and looks to shoot but a back-tracking Callum McGregor arrives to prod the ball away. Unfortunately for him he passes the ball to Andriy Yarmolenko who spins towards goal and hits one at Craig Gordon. Gordon stops it with his outstretched right hand, then leaps onto the ball to smother it before it rolls over the line. Brilliant goalkeeping.

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

20:02 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Callum McGregor wins an aerial ball as it drops into midfield and feeds it up to Che Adams on the inside right channel.

He takes a touch to shift the ball onto his left foot before curling an attempted pass into the box for Lyndon Dykes. It’s almost impossible to pull off having to split both centre-backs at the exact time Dykes makes his run and Ukraine manage to deal with it easily enough.

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

19:59 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Ruslan Malinovskyi is the second player to go in the book. He arrives slightly late to tackle Lydon Dykes and clips the striker to bring him down. Malinovskyi isn’t best pleased with that decision and lets the referee know.

Andy Robertson then curls a cross into the box from the left side but none of his teammates can direct it at goal and it bounces through for a goal kick.

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

19:57 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Save! Outstanding stop from Scotland’s Craig Gordon to deny Viktor Tsygankov. Ukraine swiftly move the ball down the right wing with Viktor Karavaev driving forward. He fizzes a low cross into the box and Tsygankov squeezes in front of the defender, meets the ball on the half-volley and turns it towards goal only for Gordon to leap and flap the ball over the crossbar!

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

19:53 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Yellow card! Billy Gilmour receives the ball inside his own half and looks to thread it over to the left wing. As he releases the ball Roman Yaremchuk comes sliding in from the side and cleans the legs out from the young midfielder. He’s shaken a touch and the referee stops play to award Scotland a free kick and give Yarmechuk the first yellow card of the game.

Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

19:51 , Michael Jones

3 mins: John McGinn nips in front of Taras Stepanenko in the middle of the pitch and wins the ball for Scotland. Stepanenko tries to win it back immediately and fouls the Scottish midfielder.

The free kick is taken quickly as the home side push up the pitch. Scott McTominay floats a diagonal ball into the box looking for either Che Adams or Lyndon Dykes but neither forward can get to the pass and Ukraine clear.

Kick off: Scotland 0-0 Ukraine

19:48 , Michael Jones

Scotland get the ball rolling at Hampden Park. They boot the ball over to the right wing and win an early throw in. The ball is sent towards the box where it’s won by the visitors who look to break forward on the counter-attack. Ukraine carry the ball into Scotland’s half but Andy Robertson is back to cover and comes away with the ball for the hosts.

Scotland vs Ukraine

19:44 , Michael Jones

The Scottish anthem is up next and the Tartan Army is in full voice encouraging and getting behind their team. Hampden Park is buzzing, the atmosphere is perfect for such an important occasion.

Kick off is next...

Scotland vs Ukraine

19:42 , Michael Jones

The Ukrainian team are ready in the tunnel. Each player is draped in a Ukrainian flag as they walk out onto the pitch. There’s a deafening roar and cheer as the teams set out at Hampden Park.

There are 3,000 Ukrainian fans inside the stadium tonight. Most, if not all, of them are waving flags from the stands.

The Ukrainian national anthem starts playing. The players stand shoulder to shoulder and sing the song of their country.

Ukraine vs Scotland: Fans soak up atmosphere ahead of emotional World Cup qualifier

19:35 , Michael Jones

To compete against Ukraine in 2022 is a delicate thing. What is a worthy victory, and what is actually fair? The mammoth public vote for the Ukrainian Eurovision entry was one thing, but international football raises emotions (and tempers) to a whole other level.

Fortunately for the Scottish football side, who face a World Cup qualifier against the Ukrainians today, the atmosphere as fans head to Hampden Park is not of pity, but of joy.

And according to Artem, a young Ukrainian Edinburgher who’s lived here since long before the invasion, the game means a lot more than simply proving that Ukraine and Ukrainians are surviving.

Fans in Glasgow look forward to emotional Ukraine v Scotland qualifier

Much-changed Wales warm up for World Cup play-off final with Nations League defeat to Poland

19:30 , Michael Jones

Wales’ understudies failed to deliver a World Cup boost as they slipped to a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Poland.

Just four days before their World Cup play-off final, Jonny Williams’ second international goal gave an unfamiliar Wales line-up a 52nd-minute lead in Wroclaw.

But Poland substitutes Jakub Kaminski and Karol Swiderski struck in the final 18 minutes to turn the game on its head and inflict a first defeat on Wales since their Euro 2020 loss to Denmark last summer.

Captain Gareth Bale was absent from Wales’ matchday squad after arriving from Real Madrid’s Champions League celebrations, with boss Robert Page shuffling his pack ahead of Sunday’s decider in Cardiff.

Wales warm up for World Cup play-off final with Nations League defeat to Poland

Warm-ups underway

19:23 , Michael Jones

Kick off for this World Cup play-off semi-final is at 7:45pm. Scotland’s players have jogged onto the pitch to get their warm-ups started.

20 minutes of so to go until the action kicks off.

Like a fine wine

19:19 , Michael Jones

Craig Gordon played in both of Scotland’s previous matches against Ukraine back in 2006/07 and is still going strong at the age of 39.

Tonight, the Hearts captain wins his 67th cap and he’ll be hoping for a 29th international clean sheet off the back of one his best seasons yet.

Scotland vs Ukraine

19:15 , Michael Jones

As the Ukrainian players came out to check on the pitch and to start their warm-ups they received a loud round of applause from both sets of fans already in the stadium.

Scotland vs Ukraine

19:13 , Michael Jones

This is going to be an emotional game for all involved.

Greame Souness admits on Sky Sports that he has conflicting feelings about the match. Naturally he is a Scottish supporter but he firmly believes that Ukraine should be at the World Cup if only to send a message to Russia that the world is united against their invasion.

How must the Ukrainian players feel? Men aged 18-60 in their country are not allowed to leave, instead they’re facing down Russian tanks and trying to save their home.

The Ukrainian squad have been given an exemption to fight as reaching the World Cup would be a huge morale boost for the nation. Many of the players haven’t featured this season so they’ll be facing an uphill battle before the emotions even come into play.

Full-time: Poland 2-1 Wales

19:06 , Michael Jones

Poland completed a comeback victory against a weakened Welsh team in the Nations League tonight. Wales - without stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey - scored early in the second half but after more changes to rest key players ahead of their World Cup play-off final on Sunday they conceded two late goals to give Poland the win.

More love and support for Ukraine

19:00 , Michael Jones

Despite the high stakes of tonight’s game there is no animosity amongst the two sets of fans. They are supportive and encouraging for each other outside of Hampden Park.

Ukrainian flags await fans

18:57 , Michael Jones

Hampden Park is decked out with Ukrainian flags for tonight’s match between Scotland and Ukraine in a show of support for the country who are still at war with Russia.

“Ukraine want to give their country a lift, which is absolutely 100% understandable,” said Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

Scotland arrive at Hampden Park

18:53 , Michael Jones

Just under an hour to go until kick off at Hampden Park. Scotland have arrived, can they take another step closer to the world cup tonight?

GOAL! Poland 2-1 Wales (Swiderski, 85’)⚽️

18:49 , Michael Jones

85 mins: Karol Swiderski delivers a decisive blow against Wales right at the end of the game. The visitors give away possession and Robert Lewandowski has a shot deflected off Chris Gunter before Swiderski taps home from close-range to beat Wayne Hennessey.

Ukraine hoping to reach second World Cup

18:46 , Michael Jones

Ukraine are hoping to add to their one World Cup appearance in 2006 but to do so they’ll need to see off Scotland tonight and Wales on Sunday.

Will they be able to defeat both home nations’ sides?

‘Take us to the World Cup’: Ukraine and Scotland ready for play-off that is now more than just a game

18:41 , Michael Jones

“If it was any other country, I would probably want them to win,” the Scotland captain Andy Robertson grinned ahead of tonight’s World Cup semi-final play-off with Ukraine, “but unfortunately they’re playing against my country and we have to stand in their way.”

There will be a balancing of emotions at play at Hampden this evening, coming into a match that a few months ago already carried huge significance but has now developed into something far larger. As Robertson explained while navigating the lines between both sides, Scotland will welcome Ukraine with open arms on what is set to be an emotional occasion, as the country plays its first competitive fixture since it was invaded by Russia three months ago, but they will need to be ready for a contest as well.

There is a place in Qatar on the line, after all, as Scotland sense their best opportunity in a generation to end their 24-year wait for an appearance at a men’s World Cup. The Tartan Army will be ready, not just in preparation for what is set to be an outpouring of support for Ukraine, but to roar their team into Sunday’s play-off final against Wales. Perspective, however, is never far away. “There will be an incredible atmosphere at Hampden,” the Ukraine head coach Oleksandr Petrakov admitted in the build-up to his team’s match, “but after rockets and bombs, we are not afraid of anything.”

‘Take us to the World Cup’: Ukraine ready for match that is now more than just a game

GOAL! Poland 1-1 Wales (Kaminski, 72’)⚽️

18:36 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Polish substitute Jakub Kaminski draws his team level in their Nations League match against Wales. He slots a right-footed effort past Wayne Hennessey after first-choice keeper Danny Ward was brought off at half-time.

He’s being rested for Sunday’s World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine.

Ukraine starting XI

18:32 , Michael Jones

Ukraine XI: Bushchan, Karavaev, Zabarnyl, Matvlyenko, Mykolenko, Stepanenko, Malinosvkyi, Zinchenko, Tsygankov, Yaremchuk, Yarmolenko

Hickey starts for Scotland

18:28 , Michael Jones

The loss of Kieran Tierney to injury is a huge blow given his influence in defence and attack for Scotland.

Scott McKenna and Liam Cooper are left-sided centre-halves but don’t offer those marauding runs forward so Steve Clarke has opted for the youthful talent of Aaron Hickey over the reliable Stephen O’Donnell or Anthony Ralston.

How will that turn out tonight?

Scotland starting XI

18:22 , Michael Jones

Scotland XI: Gordon, McTominay, Hanley, Cooper, Hickey, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson, McGinn; Adams, Dykes

Petrakov tried to enlist in Ukrainian army

18:19 , Michael Jones

Ukraine manager Oleksandr Petrakov says he attempted to enlist in the Ukrainain army as soon as his home city of Kyiv came under threat from Russia’s invasion in February.

“It would be wrong if I ran from my city where I was born,” explained the 64-year-old. “But they said ‘You are too old and don’t have any military skills. Instead, you better bring us to the World Cup.’”

“It’s a very big responsibility,” he added in a recent interview with TIME magazine. “Many of our fans are soldiers in the Ukrainian army.”

GOAL! Poland 0-1 Wales (Williams, 52’)⚽️

18:14 , Michael Jones

52 mins: Wales have taken the lead against Poland with a scorcher from Jonny Williams! From a long way out, Williams tries his luck and smokes an exceptional strike into the back of the net to put the visitors in front.

‘We’ll be ready to face Ukraine'

18:12 , Michael Jones

Scotland captain Andy Robertson acknowledged last week that most neutral supporters will be backing Ukraine this evening when he spoke about this fixture and what it means.

“If it was any other country, I would probably want them to win but unfortunately they’re playing against my country and we have to stand in their way,” said the Liverpool left-back.

“We’ll be so receptive of Ukraine before and after the game but during that 90 minutes, that 120 minutes, or whatever it takes, we have to be ready to fight for our dreams as well. As players, we want to go to a World Cup.”

Half-time: Poland 0-0 Wales

18:08 , Michael Jones

Over in Poland, Wales made it to the break on level terms after the homes side missed two great chances including that one from Robert Lewandowski.

Wales have been competitive especially without their big name players. Rob Page is making more changes. Wayne Hennessey is on for Danny Ward, while Rabbi Matondo and Mark Harris replace Dan James and Kieffer Moore.

Scotland vs Ukraine early team news

18:05 , Michael Jones

Scotland will be without Kieran Tierney and Ryan Jack who both miss out due to injury, while Nathan Patterson is doubtful after spending several weeks on the side-lines after undergoing minor ankle surgery.

Andy Robertson and Scott McKenna featured in the Champions League and Championship play-off finals respectively over the weekend and may need to be assessed by manager Steve Clarke to see if they will be up to speed for the game.

For Ukraine Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko did not feature in their warm-up match against Borussia Monchengladbach in May but are expected to return to the starting line-up at Hampden Park.

How to buy World Cup 2022 tickets for tournament in Qatar

18:00 , Michael Jones

After over a decade of controversy since it was awarded the tournament, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just a few months away from beginning.

The tournament will be the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 inwards in order to feature 48 nations.

Reigning champions France will be among the favourites, though no team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, alongside fellow European sides England, Spain, and Belgium. Brazil and Argentina will also likely feature in the knockout stages, while Senegal could represent Africa’s biggest hopes of winning for the first time.

Ticket sales are now underway for the tournament, and everything you need to know is below.

How to buy World Cup 2022 tickets for tournament in Qatar

Clarke’s resurgence

17:55 , Michael Jones

Two-and-half years ago Steve Clarke’s Scotland capitulated to a bruising 4-0 defeat to Russia in Moscow in which was the manager’s fifth game in charge. To compound matters, Russia scored all four goals in 27 minutes after Scotland had looked in control of the game.

Clarke and the team were torn apart by the pundits for the display and the manager admitted that: “We have to make sure this is the lowest of the low.”

Since then Clarke has reshaped and galvanised the national team, Scotland are two games away from a first World Cup since 1998, which would be a second consecutive major tournament having ended their 23-year hiatus at Euro 2020 last year.

In the 28 games since that one in Moscow, Scotland have 16 wins, seven draws and five defeats under Clarke. Can he get two more victories and lead the Scots to the World Cup?

Ukraine boss Oleksandr Petrakov on Scotland

17:50 , Michael Jones

“This Scotland team are a very good team, which in my opinion has no weaknesses. Team leaders include Andrew Robertson, John McGinn, Che Adams, Celtic captain Callum McGregor and the injured Kieran Tierney.

“I have great respect for the Scottish national team and with gratitude that they agreed to postpone the original match without any conditions to June.

“This is football. They want and we want. So we are on equal terms.”

Previous meetings

17:45 , Michael Jones

Scotland and Ukraine have only met on two occasions before, both in the memorable qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 and the head-to-head record stands at one win apiece.

Ukraine won the first clash between the sides 2-0 in 2006, with their talismanic captain Andriy Shevchenko sealing the victory after Olexander Kucher had scored the opener.

Scotland hit back in the reverse fixture in Glasgow, with Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch and James McFadden all on target in a famous 3-1 win at Hampden Park.

Craig Gordon played in both fixtures in that campaign and he will hope to once again be involved - over 15 years on from the countries’ first meeting.

World Cup fixtures: Groups, dates, kick-off times and full schedule for Qatar 2022

17:40 , Michael Jones

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins on 21 November as 32 teams aim to reach the final and become world champions on 18 December.

The tournament will be the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to take place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 inwards in order to feature 48 nations.

Reigning champions France will be among the favourites, though no team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, alongside fellow European sides England, Spain, and Belgium. Brazil and Argentina will also likely feature in the knockout stages, while Senegal could represent Africa’s biggest hopes of winning for the first time.

England will meeting either Wales or Scotland if either of their UK neighbours make it out of the play-offs, in Group B with USA and Iran. Check out the full World Cup fixtures and schedule below.

World Cup fixtures: Dates and kick-off times for Qatar 2022

Scotland’s key men?

17:34 , Michael Jones

Both John McGinn and Lyndon Dykes have scored four goals in this campaign for Scotland. The last Scottish player to net more goals in a single campaign was Kevin Gallacher in qualifying for the 1998 finals (six).

Poland 0-0 Wales

17:29 , Michael Jones

20 minutes gone in the Nations League match between Poland and Wales. The visitors are giving as good as they get out there but Poland should be one goal to the good.

Robert Lewandowski dribbles his way through the crumbling Wales defence and fires a shot at goal. He doesn’t catch it cleanly and Danny Ward makes a brilliant save.

You would have expected Lewandowski to score from there though.

Scotland’s qualifying run

17:25 , Michael Jones

Since losing consecutive World Cup qualifiers in October and November 2016 against Slovakia and England, Scotland have only lost one of their last 16 such games - a 2-0 defeat to Denmark in September 2021.

They’ve won 11 during that run.

Scotland face England in potential World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022

17:20 , Michael Jones

Scotland and Wales might not yet know which of them will be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, but they do know who they will be playing in the group stage of the tournament if they qualify, after the draw was conducted in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday.

The winners of the eventual play-off final will be in Group B alongside fellow European nation and rivals England, as well as USA and Iran.

Steve Clarke’s Scots are due to face Ukraine in a delayed play-off semi-final at Hampden Park in June, with Wales then facing the winners in a one-off fixture which will decide who makes it to the World Cup.

Scotland last played in the tournament in France in 1998, being knocked out in the first round from a group containing Morocco, Norway and eventual losing finalists Brazil. The Scots have never made it past the group stage at the World Cup in eight attempts.

Scotland learn potential World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022

Scottish supporters with Ukraine says Sturgeon

17:15 , Michael Jones

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says that no matter how much support the national team gets tonight there will be a place in their hearts for Ukraine during Wednesday’s decisive World Cup qualifier.

“I’ll be there tonight supporting Scotland. I want Scotland to win,” said Sturgeon. “I want Scotland to go to the World Cup.

“I think it will be a really emotional occasion. I think a bit of everyone’s heart tonight, no matter how strongly we will be supporting Scotland, will be with Ukraine.

“If Scotland doesn’t qualify for the World Cup and Ukraine does qualify, I’ll be supporting Ukraine at the World Cup.”

Scotland odds-on favourites versus Ukraine

17:10 , Michael Jones

Scotland are odds-on 7/10 favourites to beat Ukraine and go within one game of reaching their first World Cup appearance in over two decades.

The Scots are also 8/11 favourites to seal the victory inside 90 minutes, which would see them set up a mouth-watering tie with Wales on Sunday.

Steve Clarke’s men will be looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run to nine games, though fans at Hampden Park could be working through their fingernails all night with the odds of a win via extra time or penalties at 9/1.

Latest odds via SBK.

Wales vs Poland

17:05 , Michael Jones

The winner of tonight’s game will face Wales in the World Cup play-off final on Sunday. Rob Page’s men are in action this evening as well and have just kicked kicked off their Nations League campaign with an away trip to Poland.

We’ll bring in the major beats and updates from the Tarczynski Arena, as Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, and Joe Allen have all been rested ahead on Sunday’s big match.

Scotland vs Ukraine

17:00 , Michael Jones

Steve Clarke fully expects Ukraine to be ready for the match despite the war raging at home, with their players having spent the last few weeks training together.

"I said a long time ago that I hoped the game would go ahead in June because, if it did, the situation there would have improved," he adds.

"It hasn’t, but we’re still here and we always said we’d be guided by the Ukrainians and how they felt."

Scotland vs Ukraine

16:53 , Michael Jones

This is the first meeting of the sides since October 2007 in a European Championship qualifier, with the Scots winning 3-1 through goals from Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch and James McFadden.

Ukraine’s sole victory over Scotland came in October 2006, Oleksandr Kucher and Andriy Shevchenko scoring in Kyiv.

How to watch Scotland vs Ukraine online and on TV tonight

16:45 , Michael Jones

Scotland will look to move one win away from a place at the World Cup when they face a Ukraine team who are making their competitive return after the country was invaded by Russia in February.

On what is set to be an emotional occasion at Hampden, Ukraine will receive an outpouring of support amid the ongoing conflict in the country but Scotland will need to remain professional as they host the play-off semi-final.

The match was postponed in March in the wake of the Russian invasion and with Wales already through to Sunday’s play-off final match, both Scotland and Ukraine are one win away from joining them.

Scotland have not qualified for a World Cup since 1998 and a place in Group B is up for grabs at the Qatar tournament, with England, the United States and Iran the other three teams in the group.

Here’s everything you need to know before the match:

How to watch Scotland vs Ukraine online and on TV

Clarke ‘desperate to go to Qatar'

16:39 , Michael Jones

Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness has said he not only wants Ukraine to win at Hampden Park this evening but to go on to lift the World Cup as a message to Russia.

"Everyone has their opinion on the situation and every opinion will be different," responded Scotland boss Steve Clarke when told of Souness’ stance.

"But I’m desperate to go to Qatar with Scotland and my staff are desperate to go and most importantly our players are desperate to go to the World Cup finals and that’s what we focus on.

"Before the game, there will be a lot of emotion around the Ukraine and I’m sure the Tartan Army will applaud their national anthem and then sing their hearts out and get behind the team and it’s really important for us that they do that.”

Ukraine’s preparation

16:31 , Michael Jones

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country abandoned its domestic football. The league season was officially terminated in April after 18 games with the big two, league leaders Shakhtar Donetsk and defending champions Dynamo Kyiv, fighting for the title.

Around half of Oleksandr Petrakov’s national squad play for these two clubs which was an obvious problem for the head coach as he targeted tonight’s game at Hampden Park.

The home-based players were given special dispensation to leave the country and they then set up camp in Brdo, near the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.

They have remained there as a group since the start of May and have played three friendlies against club sides in Germany, Italy and Croatia.

Scotland supports Ukraine

16:25 , Michael Jones

Scotland has shown their support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion. They raiseed £500,000 for the UNICEF campaign during the March friendly against Poland and up to 4000 Ukrainian fans are expected at Hampden Park tonight, including 65 orphans invited by the Scottish FA.

Scotland’s last World Cup play-off

16:21 , Michael Jones

This is Scotland’s first World Cup play-off since 1985, when they faced Australia for a place at the 1986 finals.

In the first leg, they won 2-0 at Hampden with goals from Davie Cooper and Frank McAvennie and drew 0-0 in Melbourne.

The clash with Ukraine will only be one leg, can the Scots win tonight and make it into the play-off final versus Wales on Sunday?

Scotland supporters looking for ‘bittersweet victory’ against Ukraine

16:15 , Michael Jones

For Scotland it is a game that could take the men’s team one step closer to the dream of a place in the World Cup finals.

But for opponents Ukraine, the match comes against the nightmare backdrop of war, following the Russian invasion.

The Tartan Army was originally set to play the Ukrainians in March, but after Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into the country in a failed attempt to storm its capital, Fifa agreed to delay the game until June.

Now with the rearranged match about to take place, Scotland fans will be hoping to cheer skipper Andy Robertson and his team on to a sensational victory – while at the same time realising that much of the rest of the world will want to see a Ukraine victory to provide some cheer to the Eastern European nation more than three months on from the Russian invasion.

Scotland supporters looking for ‘bittersweet victory’ against Ukraine

A good omen for Scotland?

16:07 , Michael Jones

Scotland have won seven qualifiers during this campaign, their joint-most ever. They also won seven in qualifying for the 1998 tournament, which was the last time they reached the finals.

Scotland and Wales’ potential path to World Cup final at Qatar 2022

16:00 , Michael Jones

Scotland and Wales fans still don’t know whether their teams will be heading to Qatar to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, but their path to the final is now clear after the group stage draw was concluded in Doha.

Teams must navigate three matches in the group phase and then three further knock-out fixtures in Qatar before the trophy is up for grabs on 18 December at the 80,000-seater Lusail Stadium - with both the Dragons and the Tartan Army learning on Friday that they will face England, Iran and USA in Group B if they prevail in the play-off.

Every other European qualification spot has already been confirmed, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prevented Scotland and Wales from completing key fixtures. Steve Clarke’s Scots are due to face the Ukrainians in a delayed play-off semi-final at Hampden Park in June, with Wales then facing the winners in a one-off fixture which will determine who fills the final spot at the 2022 World Cup.

Scotland and Wales’ path to World Cup final at Qatar 2022

Ukraine’s World Cup play-off

15:48 , Michael Jones

This will be the fifth time Ukraine have competed in a World Cup qualification play-off, failing to progress from any so far:

1997 vs Croatia (lost 3-1),

2001 vs Germany (2-5),

2009 vs Greece (0-1),

2013 vs France (2-3).

Scotland are ready

15:39 , Michael Jones

Scotland’s last trip to the World Cup was 24 years ago in 1998. Can they get there again this year?

Clarke expecting ‘emotional’ night

15:33 , Michael Jones

Steve Clarke expects tonight’s world cup play-off semi-final to be an emotional night for both teams after the match at Hampden Park was delayed from March following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Back in March, Ukraine’s footballers were drawn into the fight against the Russian invasion but have since been evacuated out of the country in order to try and reach the World Cup and bring some hope to their countrymen back home.

"They made a decision to get their football players out the country and to a training camp because they want to play and want to try to give their nation a boost by qualifying for Qatar," Clarke said about tonight’s game.

"The game goes ahead amid the horrific outside influence, but for us, we focus on the game of football.

"How you would deal with yourself if you were put in that situation, you don't know until you're actually there, but I've nothing but good thoughts for them and good wishes for them - except for during the game."

Emotional Oleksandr Zinchenko breaks down on eve of Ukraine’s World Cup play-off with Scotland

15:20 , Michael Jones

Oleksandr Zinchenko burst into tears at an emotional press conference on the eve of Ukraine’s World Cup play-off against Scotland.

The semi-final was delayed after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February and tonight’s match will be the country’s first competitive fixture since, with Zinchenko vowing to give those back home “incredible emotions”.

“Every Ukrainian wants one thing - to stop this war,” said Zinchenko. “I spoke to people from different countries, all over the world and I spoke to some Ukrainian kids who just don’t understand what’s happening back in Ukraine.”

Tearful Oleksandr Zinchenko vows to give Ukraine ‘incredible emotions’

‘We don’t want to be one-tournament wonders’

15:05 , Michael Jones

Scotland boss, Steve Clarke, is sure this Scotland squad will not be "one-tournament wonders" as they prepare to face Ukraine in their World Cup play-off this evening.

Clarke led Scotland to the delayed Euro 2020 last year which was their first major tournament finals in 23 years and he knows that his men are so close to another major competition.

If the Scots defeat Ukraine they will travel to Wales on Sunday, with the winner of that game qualifying for Qatar 2022.

"This team, this squad of players, will go to another tournament," Clarke said, "We said we didn’t want to be one-tournament wonders. I’m convinced that this group of players won’t be, whether it’s this tournament 2022 in Qatar or 2024 in Germany or 2026 in America."

Scotland clash ‘the hope of the country’ for all of Ukraine, says Andriy Shevchenko

14:48 , Michael Jones

Former Ukraine captain and manager Andriy Shevchenko insists the ‘hope of the country’ rests on their World Cup play-off against Scotland on Wednesday night.

The two national teams face off at Hampden Park for the right to meet Wales in Sunday’s final, with the winner of that game progressing to the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.

Ukraine is currently at war with Russia following Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February. The match against Scotland was originally due to take place in March but was moved due to the impact of the war.

And Shevchenko, who is Ukraine’s record scorer and also managed them from 2016 to 2021, believes the team have what it takes to qualify for a second World Cup since their independence in 1991.

Scotland clash ‘the hope of the country’ for all of Ukraine, says Andriy Shevchenko

Scotland vs Ukraine

14:32 , Michael Jones

The atmosphere is building nicely and the players are ready for this long-awaited clash. Scotland are two matches away from reaching their first men’s World Cup in 24 years.

Hampden Park will host a World Cup play-off semi-final between Scotland and Ukraine this evening in a game that will be watched around the world given the situation in Ukraine.

It will be emotional, tense and enthralling.

‘Take us to the World Cup’: Ukraine and Scotland ready for play-off that is now more than just a game

10:49 , Karl Matchett

“If it was any other country, I would probably want them to win,” the Scotland captain Andy Robertson grinned ahead of tonight’s World Cup semi-final play-off with Ukraine, “but unfortunately they’re playing against my country and we have to stand in their way.”

There will be a balancing of emotions at play at Hampden this evening, coming into a match that a few months ago already carried huge significance but has now developed into something far larger. As Robertson explained while navigating the lines between both sides, Scotland will welcome Ukraine with open arms on what is set to be an emotional occasion, as the country plays its first competitive fixture since it was invaded by Russia three months ago, but they will need to be ready for a contest as well.

There is a place in Qatar on the line, after all, as Scotland sense their best opportunity in a generation to end their 24-year wait for an appearance at a men’s World Cup. The Tartan Army will be ready, not just in preparation for what is set to be an outpouring of support for Ukraine, but to roar their team into Sunday’s play-off final against Wales. Perspective, however, is never far away. “There will be an incredible atmosphere at Hampden,” the Ukraine head coach Oleksandr Petrakov admitted in the build-up to his team’s match, “but after rockets and bombs, we are not afraid of anything.”

Read Jamie Braidwood’s full match preview here:

‘Take us to the World Cup’: Ukraine ready for match that is now more than just a game