An early goal paved the way for a 3-0 win for FC Dynamo Kyiv over Hamrun Spartans in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian giants were a superior side throughout the ninety minutes forcing the Spartans on the receiving end for long stretches.
Hamrun coach Giacomo Modica opted for one change from the team which defeated Zalgiris 2-0 and eventually the penalty shoot-out last week as Emerson Marcelina replaced the injured Merlin Hadzi.
Dynamo Kyiv went out in search of an early goal but on 10 minutes, Eder intercepted a pass by a defender and his goal-bound effort from the left was blocked into a corner by Mykhavko.
Three minutes later, Dynamo Kyiv took the lead when off an assist by Vitaliy Buyalskyi from the left, the unmarked Vladyslav Vanat had the easiest of jobs in slotting the ball past the helpless Bonello.
On 22 minutes, a cross shot by Vladyslav Kabaiev was headed into a corner by Camenzuli and from the resulting corner, Denys Popov headed the ball just over the bar. Three minutes later, Buyalskyi intercepted an erratic pass by Marcelina, served Vanat who pulled to the left in an attempt to avoid Marcelina but hit the side netting.
One minute from the end of the first half, Bonello came to the rescue blocking a Kabaiev effort when served from the left by Dubinchak.
Dynamo Kyiv seemed to have scored a second goal two minutes in added time when off a freekick from the right by Buyalskyi, Denys Popov headed the ball home past Bonello. However following VAR review, referee, Cesar Soto Grado disallowed the goal.
Eight minutes in the second half, Bonello performed a good save on a cross by Andriy Yarmolenko from the right and on 64 minutes, a Vanat effort was blocked by the Hamrun custodian with Buyalskyi anticipated by a defender who cleared into a corner. Hamrun replied with a header by Saliou Thioune off a Jovan Cadjenovic freekick which ended just over the bar on 74 minutes.
Two minutes later, Dynamo Kyiv doubled the score when Vitaliy Buyalskyi exchanged the ball with Nazar Voloshyn before beating Bonello with a shot from the right
Substitute Nazar Voloshyn made it 3-0 for Dynamo Kyiv two minutes in added time, hitting home from close range following an assist from the right by Shaparenko.
The second leg will be held on Tuesday 29 at the Arena Lublin in Poland.
The team which qualifies from this tie will be facing the winner of the tie between Pafos FC of Cyprus or Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. On the other hand, the loser of the clash between Pafos FC or Maccabi Tel Aviv also awaits the loser of the clash between Hamrun and Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
HAMRUN Henry Bonello, Rafael Compri (87′ Nikolai Micallef), Joseph Mbong, Vincenzo Polito (37’ Mouad El Fanis), N’Dri Koffi (73′ Sven Xerri), Jovan Cadjenovic, Eder (73′ Saliou Thioune), Ognjen Bjelicic, Domantas Simkus, Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli (87′ Gabriel Adragna).
DYNAMO KYIV Ruslan Nescheret, Denys Popov, Andriy Yarmolenko (66′ Nazar Voloshyn), Oleksandr Pikhalonok (66′ Mykola Shaparenko), Vladyslav Vanat, Oleksandr Tymchyk, Vladyslav Kabaiev (80′ Matvi Panomarenko), Vitaliy Buyalskyi (80′ Volodymr Brazkho), Taras Mykhavko, Vladyslav Dubinchak, Mykola Mykhailenko.
Referee: Cesar Soto Grado ESP
Assistant referees: Carlos Álvarez Fernández ESP, Rubén Becerril Gómez ESP
Fourth official: Victor Garcia Verdura ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Gómez ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Miguel Sesma Espinosa ESP