Soccer, football, calcio, whatever you call it, it is one of the most uniting sports on the planet. That was as evident as ever on Wednesday before the World Cup qualifying game between Scotland and Ukraine. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, there was an extraordinary moment of solidarity before the game. Watch as Scotland fans sing Ukraine’s national anthem.
Scotland Fans Sing Ukraine National Anthem
The Ukrainian team sing their national anthem draped in Ukrainian flags. pic.twitter.com/Howv8nNJ20
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 1, 2022
Calling all #tartanarmy folks heading to the Ukraine game tonight. Sounds like we’re going to give the Ukrainian national anthem a go in support of Ukraine. This version sang as it sounds. Going to be an emotional night; great if we can show our support as much as we can pic.twitter.com/foje9btV4i
— Robin McKelvie (@robinmckelvie) June 1, 2022
The two sets of fans also sang the national anthem before the game outside Hampden Park.
As a way to show solidarity Scotland and Ukraine fans join to sing the Ukrainian national anthem on the Hampden steps
Follow all the build-up here ⚽️⤵️— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 1, 2022
The popular language app Duolingo can be partially to thank as it provided an assist for this amazing moment. Prior to the game, Scotland's National Youth Pipe Band also had a rendition of Ukraine's national anthem.
Football can unite us ⚽️
To show support for @Ukraine we’re teaching @scotlandNT @scottishfsa members how to sing the national anthem.If you want to join in before the #SCOUKR game, here's a phonetic version that can be sung as it's read, good luck✨ pic.twitter.com/rdst9a099Y
— Duolingo UK (@duolingoUK) May 31, 2022
The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland have played a special rendition of Ukraine's national anthem alongside Flower of Scotland at Kelvingrove ahead of tonight's match at Hampden.
Read more: https://t.co/kLK76J9nt5 @nypbos @campbellclaret @ThePipingCentre pic.twitter.com/ZNkcjwbcNn— The Sunday Post (@Sunday_Post) June 1, 2022
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what has proved to be a bloody and horrific war that has seen thousands killed.
Ukraine star and Premier League winner with Manchester City Oleksandr Zinchenko gave an emotional interview on Tuesday. The 25-year-old left back said he dreams for the war to end and he wants to give the people of Ukraine the emotions the World Cup brings.
️ "Every Ukrainian has the main dream to stop the war."
Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko struggles to hold back the tears as he talks about Russia's conflict with Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Tl3e0zb1GN— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 31, 2022
️ "Everyone understands what's going on in Ukraine...our motivation is definitely, 100% to win"
Oleksandr Zinchenko thanks Scotland for their support ahead of tomorrow night's World Cup play-off at Hampden ❤️pic.twitter.com/heYFd4rCXM— Sky Sports (@SkySports) May 31, 2022
The winner between Scotland and Ukraine advances in the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs to face Wales on Sunday. The winner of Sunday’s game will join England, Iran and the United States in Group B of the World Cup in Qatar this winter.