Popov header secures Europa League spot for Dynamo Kyiv

Posted December 08, 2020 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Dynamo Kyiv's Vladyslav Supriaha, left, and Ferencvaros' Lasha Dvali challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group G soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Denys Popov headed the only goal of the game as Dynamo Kyiv secured a spot in the Europa League knockout stage by beating Ferencvaros 1-0 in their last Champions League group game on Tuesday.

On a freezing night in the Ukrainian capital, center-back Popov beat his marker to head in a free kick from Carlos de Pena in the 60th minute and secure third place for his team in Group G.

Both teams' hopes of reaching the knockout rounds were long gone in a group also featuring Barcelona and Juventus.

The referee opted against giving Ferencvaros a penalty early on after the ball struck captain Serhiy Sydorchuk's hand in the area, apparently ruling his arm was in a natural position by his side. Neither team recorded a shot on goal until the 55th when Ferencvaros forward Tokmac Nguen burst into the penalty area and fired straight at the goalkeeper.

There were no fans in the stadium. Dynamo had nearly 15,000 supporters for its opening group stage home game against Juventus. None were allowed for the following games against Barcelona and Ferencvaros as coronavirus case numbers in Ukraine soared.

Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in the other game in Group G to secure first place.

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Dynamo Kyiv's Denys Popov, second right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League Group G soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press

Dynamo Kyiv's Viktor Tsyhankov reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Champions League Group G soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press

Dynamo Kyiv's Illya Zabarnyi, centre, heads the ball during the Champions League Group G soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press

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