LUBLIN, POLAND — The floodlights of Arena Lublin illuminated a crisp evening as Dynamo Kyiv, displaced from their homeland, secured a 2-0 victory over Armenian side FC Noah in UEFA Conference League action. The Ukrainian outfit, playing their European fixtures in Poland due to the ongoing conflict, demonstrated clinical efficiency to claim all three points despite ceding the majority of possession to their opponents.
Dynamo struck first in the 27th minute through Vladyslav Kabaiev, who showed predatory instincts inside the six-yard box. The forward pounced on a loose ball on the left side of the goal area, drilling a right-footed shot into the centre of the net. The goal energized the home supporters and gave Dynamo the platform they needed to control proceedings. Just five minutes into the second half, Matvii Ponomarenko doubled the advantage with a powerful header from the centre of the box. Vladyslav Dubinchak provided the assist with an expertly directed headed pass, and Ponomarenko made no mistake, directing his effort to the high centre of the goal past Ognjen Cancarevic.
The tactical battle revealed contrasting approaches, with FC Noah enjoying the majority of possession at 55.9% but struggling to translate territorial dominance into clear-cut chances. Hélder Ferreira and Matheus Aias worked tirelessly in Noah's attack, while Takuto Oshima orchestrated play from midfield. However, Dynamo's defensive structure remained resolute, with Taras Mykhavko and Vladyslav Zakharchenko marshalling the backline effectively. Mykola Shaparenko controlled the tempo for the hosts, while Nazar Voloshyn provided width and creativity down the flanks. The match grew increasingly physical as it progressed, with referee issuing five yellow cards—three to Dynamo and two to Noah—including bookings for Kabaiev, Ponomarenko, and Mykhavko.
The statistics told the story of Dynamo's ruthless efficiency. Despite managing just seven shots compared to Noah's eight, Kyiv registered four efforts on target to their opponents' two. Both goalkeepers, Ruslan Neshcheret and Cancarevic, made two saves apiece, though neither was truly tested by world-class efforts. Dynamo also edged the corner count 5-4, while committing 14 fouls to Noah's five, reflecting their willingness to disrupt the visitors' rhythm through tactical fouling.
The turning point arrived in the 50th minute with Ponomarenko's header. Having absorbed Noah's possession-based approach throughout the first half, Dynamo emerged from the interval with renewed purpose. The early second-half goal deflated the Armenian side's confidence and forced them to commit more bodies forward, creating space for Dynamo to exploit on the counter. Substitutions followed as Noah chased the game, introducing Alen Grgic, Sergey Muradyan, and Yan Eteki in search of a lifeline, but Dynamo's defensive discipline never wavered during a nervy final ten minutes.
The victory keeps Dynamo's European campaign on track as they continue to navigate the challenges of playing away from their home city of Kyiv, turning Arena Lublin into a temporary fortress for their continental ambitions.