Ukraine came within two minutes of becoming only the second European team, after the hosts, to reach the finals of 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, only to be denied by a superb long range free kick from Georgi Gakhokidze after 88 minutes.

In a nervous game, Oleg Blokhins’ team thought they had done enough to secure their passage to Germany next year, only to be cruelly denied at the death.

Looking to reach their first ever finals, Ukraine took the lead after 42 minutes of the first half when Dynamo Kiev midfielder Ruslan Rotan side footed home a simple chance. After 81 minutes, Rotan had the chance to seal their berth, but his shot came off the post. That miss came back to haunt the Ukrainians several minutes later when Gakhokidze fired home the last gasp equaliser from a stunning 35 metre free-kick, for a memorable draw for the Georgians.

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