Earliest elimination since 2005: Dynamo sets a new European Cup low
14 August 01:35
Kyiv’s Dynamo has ended its run in the 2026/27 European club competition season after losing to Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. Ukrainian soccer player Oleksiy Kashchuk scored the decisive goal against Kyiv. For the first time in 21 years, the team was eliminated before reaching the final qualifying round.
The second leg took place on August 13 in Baku and ended with a 2–0 victory for the home team. Dynamo had won the first leg 1–0 in Lublin, Poland, but was unable to hold on to that narrow lead. The match result was published on UEFA’s official website, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
On aggregate, Qarabağ won 2–1 and advanced to the Conference League qualifying playoff round.
Dynamo lost its lead right from the start
Igor Kostyuk’s team began the second leg with a one-goal lead. In the first game on August 6, a goal by Matviy Ponomarenko in the tenth minute secured the victory for the Kyiv side.
However, in Baku, it took the hosts just 12 minutes to level the aggregate score. Following an assist from Mateus Silva, Zali Muaddib found the back of the Kyiv net.
The quick goal changed the nature of the game. Dynamo could no longer focus solely on defending their lead and had to look more actively for opportunities in front of the opponent’s goal.
The Kyiv team failed to capitalize on their chances
The Ukrainian team had opportunities to regain the lead. One of the best chances fell to Volodymyr Brazhko, who found himself one-on-one with the “Qarabağ” goalkeeper but was unable to finish the attack with a goal.
Later, Vladislav Dubinchak sent the ball into the Azerbaijani club’s net. However, after reviewing the play, the VAR system confirmed an offside call, so the goal was disallowed.
Those missed opportunities proved decisive. “Qarabağ” capitalized on its chance in the second half and put “Dynamo” in a position from which the Kyiv team could no longer recover.
The decisive goal was scored by a Ukrainian
In the 69th minute, Ukrainian midfielder Oleksiy Kashchuk of “Qarabağ” scored the second goal against “Dynamo.” Elvin Jafarguliyev provided the assist.
Kashchuk received the ball in the penalty area and finished the attack with a precise shot. After that, Dynamo needed to score twice to avoid elimination, but they were unable to mount a comeback.
For the Ukrainian, it was his first goal for “Qarabağ” since May 2026.
Results of the Dynamo vs. Qarabağ match
UEFA Conference League, third qualifying round:
- First leg: Dynamo vs. Qarabağ — 1–0;
- Second leg: “Qarabağ” – “Dynamo” – 2:0;
- Aggregate score: 2–1 in favor of Qarabağ.
Goals in the second leg:
- Jali Muaddib — 12th minute;
- Oleksiy Kashchuk — 69th minute.
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Kyiv team sets an anti-record
For the first time in 21 years, Dynamo Kyiv was eliminated from European competition before reaching the final qualifying round. The last time this happened was during the 2005–06 season.
Back then, the Kyiv club suffered a shocking defeat to Swiss side Thun in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Following that elimination, the team did not have the opportunity to continue the season in another European tournament.
In 2023, Dynamo also failed to reach the main stage of European competition, but at that time the team made it to the Conference League playoff round, where it lost to Turkey’s Beşiktaş.
This season’s result is even worse: in the 2026–27 season, the Kyiv-based team was eliminated in the third qualifying round.
How Dynamo Performed in European Competition
The team began its European campaign in the Europa League qualifiers. In the first round, the Kyiv side defeated Romania’s Universitatea Cluj.
In the next round, Dynamo lost to Greek side PAOK and moved on to the Conference League. There, the Ukrainian club faced Qarabağ.
After a 1-0 home win, the Kyiv team was considered the favorite in the matchup, but two goals conceded in Baku ended their European season.
Who Will Represent Ukraine in European Competitions
Following Dynamo’s elimination, Donetsk’s Shakhtar remains Ukraine’s sole representative in this season’s European competitions.
The Ukrainian champion will begin its campaign in the Champions League group stage. Other Ukrainian clubs failed to advance past the qualifying rounds.
This means that all of Ukraine’s ranking points in the UEFA coefficient table will henceforth depend on the results of a single club.
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