Kyiv Dynamo Crushes Chernihiv to Claim Ukrainian Cup Title

2025/26 Ukrainian Cup Final

According to Главком: On May 20, the Arena Lviv hosted the 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup final, where Chernihiv faced off against Dynamo Kyiv. Dynamo emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. Beyond the result, this match made history as Chernihiv became the first First League side ever to score a goal in a tournament final.

Road to the Final

The two teams took very different paths to reach this stage. Chernihiv kicked off their campaign in the round of 32, beating Kyiv's Atlet 1-0 thanks to a goal from Shushka. In the round of 16, they initially lost to Kryvbas, but were awarded a 3-0 technical victory after Kryvbas violated foreign player limits. Chernihiv then advanced through a series of penalty shootouts: they overcame Lisne (1-1, 4-3 on penalties, goal by Romanchenko), followed by Phoenix-Mariupol (0-0, 5-4 on penalties), and Metalist 1925 (0-0, 6-5 on penalties).

Dynamo Kyiv entered the competition in the round of 16. In their first match, they defeated Oleksandriya 2-1, with goals from Pikhalonok and Ogundana. They continued their winning streak in subsequent rounds:

• Shakhtar Donetsk (2-1, goals by Yarmolenko and Guerrero)
• Inhulets
• Bukovyna (3-0, a brace from Ponomarenko and a goal by Voloshyn)

The final itself was a dynamic affair. Buyalskyi opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Chernihiv's Romanchenko equalized in the 34th minute, but Dynamo regained the lead through another Buyalskyi strike in the 63rd minute. Yarmolenko sealed the victory with a goal in the 71st minute. The final goal scorers were: Romanchenko (34') for Chernihiv; Buyalskyi (26', 63') and Yarmolenko (71') for Dynamo.

By winning the Ukrainian Cup, Dynamo not only secured the trophy but also earned a spot in European competition, specifically the Europa League. During the match, Dynamo fans showed their support with banners reading: 'Victory is Ours', 'Free Azov', and 'Fck Putin'. This final was a landmark event not just for the champions, but also for Chernihiv, who despite the loss, left their mark on the tournament's history.

The 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup final highlighted the growing competitiveness of teams from lower leagues, like Chernihiv, who reached the final and demonstrated their potential despite the defeat. By claiming the trophy, Dynamo Kyiv strengthened its position in Ukrainian football and earned the chance to represent the country on the international stage. These events could have a positive impact on the further development of football infrastructure and the support of young talent in Ukraine.

As the match unfolded, both teams showcased their skills, with Chernihiv leveling the score just before halftime. For a detailed analysis of this pivotal moment and how it influenced the second half, check out our coverage of the Ukraine Cup Final.