Liam Duckstein
The rivals put on the highest-scoring match in UPL history
If you’re looking for chaos, drama, and pure attacking football—this was it. Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih and Dynamo Kyiv delivered the highest-scoring match in Ukrainian Premier League history, an 11-goal thriller that had everything from defensive errors to world-class finishing.
And yet, somehow, even a four-goal masterclass from Gleyker Mendoza wasn’t enough.
First Half: Mendoza Runs Riot
The match didn’t even start normally. An air raid alert delayed kickoff by 45 minutes—but once it began, it exploded into life immediately.
Kryvbas struck first in the 13th minute through Mendoza, capitalising on a lightning-fast counterattack after Dynamo hit the post seconds earlier. It was a warning sign of what was to come.
Dynamo responded instantly. A mistake at the back gifted Mykola Shaparenko possession, and Matviy Ponomarenko finished clinically to make it 1-1.
Then came the Mendoza show.
In the 29th minute, he fired a rocket from distance into the far corner. Five minutes later, he completed his hat trick with a composed one-on-one finish. And just before halftime, he added a fourth—cutting inside and beating the goalkeeper despite a touch on the ball.
At 4-1, Kryvbas were in complete control. Mendoza had already written himself into UPL history.
Second Half: Dynamo Flip the Script
But this game wasn’t done. Not even close.
Taras Mykhavko pulled one back early in the second half with a precise volley, and suddenly Dynamo had momentum. Nazar Voloshin made it 4-3 after a perfectly timed run and simple finish.
Then came the equaliser. Vitaliy Buyalskyi, pulling the strings in midfield, chipped the ball past the goalkeeper to level the score at 4-4.
From a betting perspective, this was the turning point. Momentum had fully shifted, and Kryvbas looked rattled despite their earlier dominance.
Late Drama: Goals, Errors, and a Decisive Blow
Kryvbas weren’t finished yet. Maksym Zaderaka restored their lead in the 74th minute, making it 5-4 and seemingly putting the hosts back on track.
But Dynamo responded immediately.
Andriy Yarmolenko, coming off the bench, equalised just two minutes later. Then, in the 88th minute, he struck again—coolly finishing to complete the comeback and give Dynamo their first lead of the match.
That goal sealed it. 6-5. Game over.
What This Means
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement from Dynamo Kyiv. Coming back from 4-1 down away from home shows resilience, depth, and attacking quality that could define their season.
For Kryvbas, the result is brutal. Scoring five goals—four from a single player—and still losing highlights serious defensive issues that need immediate fixing.
Mendoza’s performance will dominate headlines, but the three points belong to Dynamo.
Final Score
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih 5-6 Dynamo Kyiv
In a league that rarely sees games like this, one thing is certain: this match will be remembered for a long time.