UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round
Dynamo Kyiv 0 - 1 FT Pafos
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Dynamo Kyiv
Goalkeepers
R. Neshcheret
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
O. Tymchyk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Popov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Mykhavko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Dubinchak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
O. Pikhalyonok
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Brazhko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Mykhaylenko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Yarmolenko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Shaparenko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
V. Vanat
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
V. Morgun
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Ignatenko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Vivcharenko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
O. Karavaev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Bilovar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
O. Yatsyk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Voloshyn
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Kabaev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Buyalskyy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Bragaru
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Guerrero
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ponomarenko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pafos
Goalkeepers
N. Michail
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
D. Luckassen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Goldar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Pileas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
J. Correia
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Sunjic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Tankovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pepe
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jaja
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Orsic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Dragomir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
P. Petrou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Papadoudis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Langa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pedrao
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Quina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Sema
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Bassouamina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Anderson Silva
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/08/2025 | Dynamo Kyiv | 0 - 1 | Pafos | UEFA Champions League | Motor Lublin Arena |
05/08/2025
Dynamo Kyiv Win
Pafos Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
David Slays Goliath: Pafos Stuns Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League Thriller
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 20/100. This isn't just a result—it's a seismic shift in the Champions League qualifying landscape, where a Cypriot minnow has just dismantled the odds and the defending Ukrainian champions.
Late Drama Rewrites the Script
For 83 minutes, Dynamo Kyiv controlled the narrative at Motor Lublin Arena. The Ukrainian giants pressed, probed, and dictated—the intensity was theirs to command. Then came the turning point: Anderson Silva emerged from the shadows in the 84th minute, capitalizing on a moment of defensive fragility to slot past Kyiv's keeper. J. Correia's assist proved the catalyst, a perfectly weighted pass that undid months of preparation.
The Upset Factor Takes Hold
Pafos arrived as underdogs—their season record tells the story: just one win in six games, a goal difference of -5, and a fragile hold on European football. Yet here they stand, having absorbed Kyiv's pressure and struck with surgical precision when it mattered most. The stakes couldn't be higher—qualification to the group stage now sits tantalisingly within reach for the Cypriot side, while Kyiv faces a must-win scenario in the return leg.
What This Means
Dynamo Kyiv, accustomed to European dominance, must now navigate the psychological burden of chasing the game at home. Pafos, meanwhile, has proven that balance and opportunism can overcome pedigree. This is the Champions League's cruel beauty: one moment of brilliance erases months of favouritism.
Key Questions
Who scored the decisive goal?
Anderson Silva netted in the 84th minute, assisted by J. Correia, to secure Pafos's shock 1-0 victory.
What's at stake in the return leg?
Dynamo Kyiv must overturn the deficit at home. Pafos seeks to hold firm and advance to the Champions League group stage.
How significant is this result?
Massive. Pafos, with only one win this season, has beaten a heavyweight and now controls their own European destiny.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
A Narrow Bridge to the Playoffs
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 7/100. The margin for error is non-existent as two clubs with vastly different European histories clash for a spot in the final qualifying hurdle.
The Setup
The third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League brings us to the Motor Lublin Arena on August 05, 2025, where Dynamo Kyiv looks to leverage their historical weight against a Pafos side currently finding their feet. The Balance of this tie is razor-thin; while Dynamo are seasoned veterans of these summer qualifiers, Pafos enters this match with a mixed Form profile, having recorded just one win in their last five outings (LDWDL). The Stakes are absolute: advancement keeps the lucrative league stage dream alive, while the loser must settle for a secondary continental path.
Key Battle
The tactical focus shifts to how the Dynamo Kyiv defensive unit handles the physical presence and movement of L. Dimata. Without a primary star listed for the home side, the contest will be decided by the collective discipline of the Kyiv midfield against the counter-attacking threat of the visitors. Pafos will likely look to isolate their forward against a back line that may still be searching for its rhythm in this early stage of the campaign. While the Stars power is modest, the tactical battle for control of the central zones will be intense.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey affair where neither side is willing to blink first. Dynamo Kyiv's ability to maintain possession and their depth of continental experience should eventually wear down the visitors, though Pafos’s resilience shouldn't be underestimated. We anticipate a low-scoring encounter where defensive organization trumps expansive play. A 1-0 victory for the home side seems the most probable outcome as they look to carry a narrow lead into the second leg.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Watch if you appreciate high-stakes tactical chess where every mistake is amplified by the knockout format.
What's the predicted outcome?
A narrow 1-0 victory for Dynamo Kyiv, relying on their superior European pedigree.
Where are Dynamo Kyiv and Pafos in the league table?
As a qualifying round, league positions are secondary; however, Pafos currently sits 29th in the overall UCL ranking context provided.
What is Pafos's current form?
They have struggled for consistency, recording one win, two draws, and two losses (LDWDL) in their last five.
What does this mean for qualification?
The winner of this two-legged tie advances to the UEFA Champions League Playoff Round, the final step before the league stage.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.