No one expected such a comeback: a three-goal lead turned into something incomprehensible
The elite division of the Ukrainian championship returned after a break for national team matches. The 22nd matchday was marked by a loud defeat for “Dynamo,” a coaching change at “Alexandria,” and the preservation of dual leadership at the top of the table.
Results of the three matchdays – summarized by RBC-Ukraine.
Also read: Yarmolenko in the historic top 3, Ponomarenko – UPL leader: scoring records of the capital derby
Dynamo’s fiasco and the stability of the leaders
The capital giant unexpectedly ended its successful streak of eight consecutive victories.
In a home match against Lviv’s “Karpaty,” Alexander Shovkovsky’s team lost 0:1.
The only goal was scored by Babukar Faal, while Matvey Ponomarenko’s goal was disallowed due to a controversial referee decision, sparking a refereeing scandal.
Meanwhile, the main title contenders – LNZ and “Shakhtar” – simultaneously earned three points each, winning with identical scores of 3:0.
The Cherkasy club dealt with “Kryvbas,” while the Donetsk team confidently defeated “Rukh.”
Both teams now have 50 points, but “Shakhtar” has a game in hand.
Sharan’s effect and goal fest in Poltava and Kyiv
This matchday was the debut for Vladimir Sharan after his return to the helm of “Alexandria.”
The vice-champions of the country demonstrated dramatic football against “Poltava”: leading 3:0 thanks to Amaral’s brace, the team could not maintain the advantage, finishing the match in a 3:3 draw.
This allowed the Alexandrians to earn their first point in 2026 and stop their losing streak.
A similar scenario unfolded in the match between “Obolon” and “Zorya.” The Luhansk team took the lead three times, but the “brewers” equalized each time. Taras Lyakh’s salvaging goal in the 84th minute fixed the final score at 3:3.
Shifts at the bottom of the table and the scoring race
An important victory was secured by “Epicenter,” defeating “Kudrivka” (1:0).
Despite the red card shown to the author of the only goal, Carlos Rojas, the team managed to hold the result and escape the relegation zone, climbing to 11th place.
“Polesie,” however, could not fully capitalize on “Dynamo’s” slip, drawing with “Veres” (1:1), although it remained in third place.
In the list of the league’s top scorers, a three-way tie currently reigns. Matvey Ponomarenko, Philipp Budkovsky, and Babukar Faal lead the ranking, each having scored the same number of goals.
Results of all matches of the 22nd round:
- “Poltava” – “Alexandria” – 3:3
- “Kolos” – “Metalist 1925” – 0:0
- “Dynamo” – “Karpaty” – 0:1
- “Kryvbas” – LNZ – 0:3
- “Obolon” – “Zarya” – 3:3
- “Shakhtar” – “Rukh” – 3:0
- “Polesie” – “Veres” – 1:1
- “Epicenter” – “Kudrivka” – 1
UPL standings
- LNZ – 50 points (22 matches), 33:12 (goal difference)
- “Shakhtar” – 50 (21), 51:12
- “Polesie” – 43 (22), 37:15
- “Dynamo” – 41 (22), 49:24
- “Metalist 1925” – 35 (21), 24:13
- “Kryvbas” – 34 (22), 33:31
- “Kolos” – 33 (22), 20:20
- “Zarya” – 29 (21), 30:27
- “Karpaty” – 29 (22), 30:26
- “Veres” – 23 (21), 17:25
- “Epicenter” – 23 (22), 26:35
- “Obolon” – 22 (21), 17:36
- “Kudrivka” – 21 (22), 24:36
- “Rukh” – 19 (22), 16:35
- “Alexandria” – 12 (21), 17:40
- “Poltava” – 10 (22), 19:56
Also find out where the Ukrainian national team ranked in the updated FIFA ranking.
Source: rbc.ua +rel=”nofollow”
