Karabakh defeated Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the UEFA Conference League on Wednesday evening. The match at Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium saw the hosts overturn their earlier defeat to the Ukrainian side. J. Mouaddib opened the scoring in the 12th minute before O. Kashchuk doubled the advantage after the hour mark.
Mouaddib's early strike caught Dynamo Kyiv off guard. The home side controlled much of the first half, though the visitors showed flashes of their own. Vladyslav Dubinchak picked up a yellow card at 29 minutes, followed by Matvii Ponomarenko just before half-time. Bədavi Hüseynov was cautioned at 62 minutes as the match settled into a rhythm.
Kashchuk's goal at 69 minutes extended Karabakh's lead and shifted momentum decisively. The Ukrainian visitors made several changes in search of a response, bringing on V. Dubinchak and A. Zoubir among others in the second half. Karabakh also reshuffled their squad, with E. Cafarquliyev and J. Lonwijk entering the fray.
The statistics tell a story of dominance by the home side. Karabakh held 59 per cent possession and completed 486 passes compared to Dynamo Kyiv's 330. The hosts registered 150 attacks and 10 shots within the penalty area. Dynamo Kyiv managed only 98 attacks despite taking more corners, and their shots on target proved less effective.
The victory gives Karabakh a strong position for the next round. The hosts had lost 0-1 to Dynamo Kyiv just a week earlier, making this a satisfying response. Dynamo Kyiv will need to find a way to break down a disciplined Karabakh defence if they are to progress. The return leg will decide who advances to the next stage.