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Oleksandr Zinchenko had to be dissuaded from not returning to his beloved Ukraine to fight on the front line in the aftermath of Russia ’s invasion.

The Manchester City star guided his international teammates to within 90 minutes of the World Cup, after beating Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park on Wednesday night. On an emotionally charged night, goals from Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk set up a play-off final with Wales this weekend.

It was a short escape from the terror which has engulfed the nation since Russian president Vladimir Putin sanctioned the invasion of their neighbouring country. Zinchenko is arguably the most high-profile Ukranian in European football and has been extremely forward in ensuring the matter is kept in the public eye.

And the Sun report that the 25-year-old was actually planning to return to his homeland with his grandad and aunt refusing to join the thousands fleeing the country. He was ultimately convinced to stay in Manchester by family and friends, but has kept in regular contact with those back in Ukraine.

"I'll be honest, if not for my daughter, my family, I would be there," he told the BBC shortly after the invasion . "I'm just born like that. I know the people from my country, the mentality of them, and all of them, they