Scotland vs Ukraine LIVE: World Cup play-off result, final score and reaction as Ukraine triumph

There was already so much to admire about this Ukraine team but perhaps something had been overlooked along the way. As they progressed in their mission to qualify for the World Cup, it was not heart and bravery that saw them overcome Scotland, although that of course played its part. But amid the emotion - and in the face of what should have been an intimidating atmosphere - this was a clever, clinical and cohesive performance that left no question over who deserves to face Wales in the World Cup play-off final on Sunday, and that is solely talking about sporting merit.

As Artem Dovbyk ran clear to seal Ukraine’s 3-1 win in the final seconds of stoppage time,Oleksandr Zinchenko, who played the pass, collapsed to the pitch. Dovbyk celebrated on his own in the corner - his team-mates had nothing left to give. They had left it all out there to claim a victory that is worth more than football.

In the corner of Hampden, the Ukraine fans who had supported their team so proudly came together to salute the players who were the heroes on the field.

Scotland have failed to qualify for any of the last six World Cup tournaments since appearing at the 1998 edition. Between 1974 and 1998 they missed only one of seven tournaments.

Scotland were unbeaten in 12 home games at Hampden Park coming into this match (W8 D4); Ukraine have ended Scotland’s longest home unbeaten run since May 1978 (16 games).

“Every game for us now is like a final. We have one more and we need to win it - we need to take it or this won’t mean anything.

“We scored three goals, we could’ve scored even more. [Sunday] is going to be a massive game for us. We need to show the best performance of our lives.”

The end for Scotland, but perhaps the start of one of those beautifully stirring stories that only sport can offer.

These heroic Ukrainian players have already given their people so much with this 3-1 win at Hampden Park, in this first match since the invasion, but it also showed they are capable of so much more.

They are now just one more game from the World Cup itself, and Cardiff on Sunday may be an even greater occasion.

It is put into the context by the fact people in Ukraine itself had to watch this from air-raid shelters due to alerts going across the entire country, but this was also who this team were playing for. It was who they were pushing themselves to the very limit for, in those frantic last few minutes when tiredness of course set in.

That could be seen with the way so many of the team sank to the ground as Artem Dovbyk scored the decisive goal, too exhausted to celebrate, but still feeling the exhilaration that can only come from total immersion.

This is what it means. Ukraine are just one game away from reaching the World Cup.

A frustrating night for Steve Clarke’s men who only clicked into gear at the backend of the second half. Ukraine arrived with a gameplan, they played the more lively football and have been rewarded with a trip to Cardiff on Sunday.

What a win this is for Ukraine. The players have done their country proud tonight.

90+6 mins: Scotland’s wait to reach the World Cup goes on. Ukraine have beaten them in the World Cup play-off semi-final. The visitors were the better side, the best team won and they’ll now face Wales on Sunday for a place at Qatar.

90+5 mins: It’s all over. Scotland throw everyone forward and Ukraine clear their lines and Zinchenko picks out Artem Dovbyk. He drives into the box, is one-on-one with the goalkeeper and slots it home.

Ukraine have beaten Scotland at Hampden Park!

90+2 mins: Zinchenko twists and weaves his way to the edge of the box before setting it up for Zubkov to shoot but he fires his chance wide of the target.

Two minutes to play.