Today, September 17, matches of the 1/16 finals of the Ukrainian Cup for the 2025/2026 season are taking place. In one of the matches, «Alexandria» faced «Dynamo».
Photo — Alexander PopovUkrainian Cup. 1/16 finals
«ALEXANDRIA» (Alexandria) — «DYNAMO» (Kiev) — 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Blenutze (59, own goal) — Pihalenok (22), Ogundana (86)
Yellow cards: Beirache (19), Kulakov (36) — Dubinchak (72).
«Alexandria»: 1.Dolhyi, 5.Fernando, 9.Mishnev (C), 10.Kulakov, 22.Skorko, 23.Oharkov, 27.Tsara, 50.Beirache, 59.Kozak, 71.Shostak, 86.Bol.
Substitutes: 72.Makarenko, 8.Buletsa, 11.Shulyansky, 16.Ndika, 19.Zhota, 24.Khussein, 44.Da Silva, 49.Mateus, 55.Smirny, 97.Prokopenko, 99.Castillo.
«Dynamo»: 51.Morhun — 34.Zakharchenko, 40.Bilovar, 66.Tiare, 44.Dubinchak — 6.Brazhko (C), 10.Shaparenko — 9.Voloshin, 8.Pikhalenok, 22.Kabaev — 77.Blenutze.
Substitutes: 35.Neshcheret, 2.Vivcharenko, 5.Yatsyk, 7.Yarmolenko, 14.Burtnyk, 15.Rubchynsky, 16.Ogundana, 20.Karavaev, 29.Buyalsky, 32.Mikhavko, 39.Gerrero, 91.Mykhailenko.
Match statistics >>>
Post-match press conference >>>
Both teams started the match quite energetically, exchanging attacks in the early minutes of the game. For Kiev, the newcomer of «Dynamo» Blenutze stood out with active plays.
However, it was Pihalenok who managed to score first, closer to the middle of the first half: after another attack from the «white and blues», the defenders of «Alexandria» initially blocked shots from Kabaev and Shaparenko, but with a precise shot from the edge of the penalty area, Pihalenok found the net, leaving goalkeeper Dolhyi helpless — 0:1!
After conceding a goal, the home side only intensified their desire to showcase their best qualities against an opponent like «Dynamo». And on the 35th minute, they had a great chance to equalize: after a bit of chaos in the «white and blue» penalty area, the ball bounced to Bol, who shot wide from a few meters! On the 44th minute, Morhun had to seriously intervene, saving a dangerous low shot from Kulakov. This concluded all the most interesting events of the first half.
Photo — Alexander PopovAfter the break, «Alexandria» seized the initiative, creating several set pieces near the «Dynamo» goal. And one of them finally brought them results! After another corner kick, the ball was inadvertently deflected into their own net by «Dynamo» forward Blenutze. A frustrating moment for the Romanian player who clearly did not plan to start his performances for the capital club this way.
Of course, this turn of events was completely unsatisfactory for the Dynamo coaching staff, who immediately decided to refresh the team’s attack by bringing on another debutant — Sholu Ogundana. The midfielder quickly made an impression with several fast runs down the left flank, but that was about it.
In the 68th minute, it seemed that nothing could prevent Blenutze from scoring against the home side, but after a cutback from Ogundana from the right flank into the area of the goalkeeper, Bol managed to clear the ball for a corner just in time.
The less time remained in the second half, the more cautious both teams became, as the price of a mistake could mean missing out on the next round of the tournament. However, the Kiev side took a risk — and were rewarded for their bravery. After a fast attack in the 86th minute, the ball found Ogundana in the opponent’s penalty area — the midfielder immediately decided to shoot, and after a slight deflection, the ball flew under the crossbar of Dolhyi’s goal — 1:2!
Thus, «Dynamo» snatched victory at the very end of the match and advanced to the 1/8 finals of the Ukrainian Cup!
Vladimir BOBYRY
