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Mykolenko Impresses In Ukraine Victory

Everton left-back Vitalii Mykolenko played the full 90 minutes as Ukraine bounced back from their World Cup play-off disappointment by beating the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Dublin.

Mykolenko was the only Ukraine player to retain his place in the starting XI from Sunday’s defeat to Wales and delivered an accomplished performance in the Nations League encounter.

Everton and Republic of Ireland skipper Seamus Coleman missed the game with a groin injury, however. 

Ahead of the match, Ireland manager Stephen Kenny said he was unsure whether Coleman would be able to feature in their clash with Scotland on Saturday or the return game against Ukraine in Poland three days later.

Coleman was at Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night, however, and before kick-off he took part in a moving show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people when he and team mascots presented the away team’s supporters with sunflowers – their country's national flower.

The only goal of the match came two minutes after the half-time interval when Viktor Tsygankov’s inswinging free-kick delivery from the right flank eluded every player in the penalty box and beat Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Taras Kacharaba thought he had doubled Ukraine’s lead with a superb volley only for the strike to be chalked off for offside, while former Everton defender Shane Duffy came closest to equalising for the hosts when Ukraine keeper Andriy Lunin tipped his late header on to the bar.

Ukraine return to Nations League action on Saturday when they take on Armenia in Lodz.

Nathan Patterson, meanwhile, was introduced as a 76th-minute substitute in Scotland's 2-0 Nations League victory over Armenia at Hampden Park.

Patterson – playing his first match since sustaining an ankle injury in early April – came on in place of Anthony Ralston, who opened the scoring for the Scots on midway through the first half.

Scott McKenna was also on target for the home side, heading home on 40 minutes.