Vitalii Mykolenko's hopes of playing in this summer's World Cup are over after the Everton defender was unable to help Ukraine to victory over Sweden
Vitaliy Mykolenko reacts during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Ukraine and Sweden at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium in Valencia. Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images
Vitaliy Mykolenko reacts during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Ukraine and Sweden at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium in Valencia. Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images
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Everton defender Vitalii Mykolenko branded Ukraine’s performance a “disgrace” after the country’s World Cup dreams were ended by Sweden.
A hat-trick from Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres proved the difference as the teams met in Spain for their play-off semi-final.
Matviy Ponomarenko’s stoppage-time strike was no more than a consolation as Mykolenko and his Ukraine team-mates suffered a 3-1 defeat.
The Blues left-back did not hold back in his post-match comments. He thanked supporters for their backing but labelled the performance “toothless”.
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Speaking to Ukrainian outlet Tribuna, via Sport Witness, Mykolenko said: “The emotions are probably the same as those of all of Ukraine who watched football, I came to say thank you to the people, those who watched this disgrace.
“I wanted to apologise, but there’s no point in apologising after the fight. I just wanted to say thank you for watching and cheering.
“I don’t know what else to say.”
The defeat followed a positive qualification stage in which Ukraine finished second to France in their group. They secured passage to the play-offs with a 2-0 win over Iceland back in November.
Mykolenko appeared to be frustrated that his side had been unable to match the standards set in that game.
He said: “It’s just a shame how toothlessly we came out and played. If we can give an example of the match with Iceland, how we fought for this play-off to get here.
“We fought, all of Ukraine was cheering for us, and there was a strong team on the field. And today it wasn’t like that.
“II can’t explain why, maybe it just wasn’t our day. But whatever it is, we will be stronger.
Mykolenko was not the only Everton player to suffer World Cup heartbreak on Thursday.
Seamus Coleman and Jake O’Brien Republic of Ireland lost on penalties to Czechia. Tom King's Wales also lost in a penalty shootout, to Bosnia and Herzegovina