Ħamrun Spartans face an uphill battle in their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign after falling to a 3-0 defeat against Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of the second qualifying round.
The Maltese side showed early promise, nearly capitalizing on a defensive miscommunication in the 10th minute, but Eder’s low shot was well blocked by the Dynamo defence.
Just two minutes later, the hosts responded clinically. Vladyslav Vanat opened the scoring in the 13th minute, slotting home from close range into an empty net after a swift attacking move.
Dynamo appeared to have doubled their lead just before the break, but Spanish referee Cesar Soto Grado, after a VAR review, disallowed the goal due to an offside infringement, offering Ħamrun brief respite.
In the second half, the Ukrainian side maintained control and were rewarded in the 76th minute when captain Vitaliy Buyalskyy extended the lead to 2-0 with a composed finish. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Nazar Voloshyn added a third, sealing a dominant victory for Dynamo and leaving the Spartans with a mountain to climb.
The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 July in Lublin, Poland, with kick-off at 20:00.
Match Official: Cesar Soto Grado (Spain)
Starting Lineups:
Ħamrun Spartans: H. Bonello (C), R. Compri, J. Mbong, V. Polito, P. Koffi, J. Cadjenovic, Eder, O. Bjelicic, D. Simkus, E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli.
Dynamo Kyiv: R. Neshcheret, D. Popov, A. Yarmolenko, O. Pikhalonok, V. Vanat, O. Tymchyk, V. Kabaiev, V. Buyalskyi (C), T. Mykhavko, V. Dubinchak, M. Mykhailenko.
