Volodymyr Zelensky thanks Ukraine team for 'two hours of happiness' after World Cup qualifier win

By Ben Church, CNN

Updated 1108 GMT (1908 HKT) June 2, 2022

Ukraine fans celebrate after Andriy Yarmolenko scored their side's first goal against Scotland.

Glasgow, Scotland (CNN)Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the national team for «two hours of happiness» after it produced a magical performance to beat Scotland 3-1 in its World Cup playoff semifinal on Wednesday.

Ukraine is now just one win away from reaching the Qatar World Cup later this year, needing to beat Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.Despite a complicated preparation that included a month in a Slovenian training camp, an emotional Ukraine side was very much a worthy winner on the night.It hadn't played a competitive game since November last year but was determined to give those fighting back home something to cheer about. Ukraine Fans with masks of President Volodymyr Zelensky during the World Cup playoff semifinal.«There are times when you don't need many words! Pride is enough! Simply thanks to you guys!» Zelensky said in an Instagram post.Read More«Two hours of happiness that we've grown unaccustomed to. They went out. They fought. They persevered. They won. Because they are Ukrainians!»We are all fighting, everyone on their own front, for this. For our blue and yellow flag, for our coat of arms on our hearts, for 'Ukraine is not dead yet...', which cannot be silenced," he said.«We fight, we fight, we endure, we win.»Ukraine looked much sharper than its opposition and was cheered on by thousands of Ukraine fans who created a brilliant atmosphere in Hampden Park.Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk had put the visitors in control of the match, but there were some nervy moments in the final stages.Callum McGregor scored for Scotland with