A Viktor Tsygankov free-kick was the difference as admirable Ukraine defeated the Republic of Ireland on a score-line of 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League B Group 1 fixture at the Aviva Stadium.

The result opens the points tally for the away side in the tournament. Scotland winning tonight at home to Armenia in the other game in the group sees Ireland sit bottom with zero points after two games.

The hosts opened the game on top, but that spell did not last long as the Ukrainian team full of changes from the weekend gelled together as time went by. They had the majority of chances in the opening half including a wonder goal from Kacharaba that was ruled out by VAR for offside. 

It was the Republic of Ireland that got the first attempt on goal in the game. Jason Knight shot from outside of the box was the first test of Real Madrid keeper Lunin in net for the away side. 

Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhaylo Mudryk got the first attempt for the away side with some great dribbling through midfield ending up in a wayward shot that landed in the end of the stadium occupied by the Ukrainians invited by the FAI to the game tonight. 

Ukraine began to come into the game after this, with a number of half-chances including Mykolenko and Shaparenko showing the threat this side have. None of which troubled Caoimhin Kelleher in the net, however. 

It took until the 30th minute for the away side to get their first shot on target. Zubkov came in off the left-wing and shot from distance with decent power but it was easy to deal with for Kelleher in the Irish net. 

Ireland had a penalty shout after 35 minutes. Jeff Hendrick picked up possession in the centre of the park and played a delightful through ball for Callum Robinson to run on who ended up on the ground after contact with the Ukrainian centre-back. The Slovakian referee waved away any shout of a spot-kick immediately. 

Ukraine thought they took the lead just before halftime through Kacharaba whos dipping half volley looped over Kelleher to put the away side in the lead, but VAR overruled the onfield decision due to an offside in the build-up as Dovbyk was just behind the last defender seconds before the ball hit the net. The half-time score at a stalemate. Republic of Ireland 0-0 Ukraine. 

The away side took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. Half-time substitute Viktor Tsygankov scored directly from a free-kick down by the sideline as his attempted cross bounced through the box and landed in the top corner past the outstretched Kelleher. 

Ireland struggled to make an impression for the majority of the second half following the goal. There was little to note until the 70th minute outside of a couple of Irish corners which didn’t lead to much. Kenny turned to Obafemi, McClean, and Browne to come off the bench and make an impact. 

It took until the 80th minute for the home sided to have their first major opportunity of the game. Shane Duffy’s header was tipped onto the bar by Lunin diving backward, an incredible save. 

Ireland began to push further towards the end of the match. Josh Cullen shot from range that just drifted wide of Lunin’s net. The home side finally beginning to show their talent. 

Duffy had a spectacular bicycle kick attempt blocked late on which fell to Josh Cullen who smashed the ball over. Two real opportunities to get the home side level. 

Tsygankov broke through at the end of the game and shot but Collins deflected the ball onto the bar. This was the last of the action in the game as the Ukrainian crowd in attendance leave Dublin this evening happy. 

Stephen Kenny gets another opportunity for his first nations league victory as the Republic of Ireland host Scotland at the weekend, with Ukraine returning to their temporary home in Lodz, Poland to host Armenia.