Dynamo Kiev and Maccabi Tel Aviv met in their Champions League Group G clash at the NSK Olimpiyskyi.
Kiev had to win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive, while they also had to hope that there was a winner in the other Group G match between Chelsea and Porto.
Denis Garmash fired his side ahead in the 16th minute of the match, which proved to be enough to secure the victory for Serhiy Rebrov's men, while Chelsea triumphed over Porto to send themselves and the Ukrainian outfit through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.
7.15pmGood evening and welcome to our live commentary of the Champions League clash between Dynamo Kiev and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
7.16pmKiev come into the tonight's fixture knowing that they have to win to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the competition alive. Serhiy Rebrov's men have taken eight points from their opening five matches, and earned a crucial 2-0 win over Porto last time out at the Estadio do Dragao to keep the group alive for the final round of fixtures tonight. A win for the Ukrainian side and a defeat for Porto or Chelsea in their encounter at Stamford Bridge would be enough to see Rebrov's men through to the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years.
7.17pmTel Aviv have endured a miserable campaign in Group G, failing to take a single point from any of their five matches. They have been outplayed in all five of their contests and Slavisa Jokanovic's men have only their pride to play for this evening. They have shown quality at times and that will need to be at its best to take a positive result from the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium.
7.20pmThe team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
7.22pmDYNAMO KIEV STARTING XI: Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Antunes, Dragovic, Khacheridi; Sydorchuk, Rybalka; Garmash, Gonzalez, Yarmolenko; Junior Moraes
Subs: Rybka, Vida, Veloso, Gusev, Buyalskiy, Belhanda, Teodorczyk
Subs: Rybka, Vida, Veloso, Gusev, Buyalskiy, Belhanda, Teodorczyk
7.25pmMACCABI TEL AVIV STARTING XI: Rajkovic; Dasa, Tibi, Ben Harush, Carlos Garcia; Zahavi, Miha, Rikan, Igiebor, Ben Haim; Alberman
Subs: Lifshitz, Ziv, Mitrovic, Vermouth, Peretz, Ben Basat, Itzhaki
Subs: Lifshitz, Ziv, Mitrovic, Vermouth, Peretz, Ben Basat, Itzhaki
7.29pmKiev are unchanged from their 2-0 win over Porto last time as Junior Moraes continues to lead the line in front of a three-man attacking midfield of Andriy Yarmolenko, Denis Garmash and Derlis Gonzalez. Sergiy Sydorchuk and Sergiy Rybalka anchor the midfield ahead of the back four, while Aleksandar Dragovic and Yevhen Khacheridi occupy the two centre-back roles this evening.
7.33pmJokanovic has made two change to his team from their 4-0 defeat to Chelsea. Defender Tal Ben Haim is suspended following his dismissal in the contest so Eitan Tibi replaces him in the back four, while Dor Peretz drops out of the lineup for Dor Micha. Eran Zahavi spearheads Maccabi's attack this evening.
7.35pmTonight's match will be played behind closed doors as punishment for Kiev following racist behaviour and crowd disturbances in their clash with Chelsea last month.
7.37pmJokanovic has insisted that his side still have plenty to play for this evening, despite their fate being already sealed.
He told reporters: "It is a game against one of the biggest teams in Europe in the most important club competition – that is motivation enough for us. It's a pity we will play behind closed doors, though. It's no advantage for us."
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7.39pmRebrov has warned his players that tonight's match will be far from straight forward due to the quality of the Tel Aviv lineup as his side seek to reach the knockout phase.
He told reporters: "I don't agree that Maccabi are underdogs. They are a very strong team who eliminated Basel [in the play-offs], which is very telling.
"They created opportunities against us [on matchday two], as well as against Porto and Chelsea, but they have been a bit unlucky in the group."
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7.42pmThe players are out on the pitch to silence in Kiev. We should be underway shortly after the Champions League anthem.
1 minKICKOFF! We're underway in Kiev.
2 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Moraes latches on to a cross from the left from Yarmolenko and Garmash steers the ball into the net at the back post, but the linesman's flag is raised and the goal is ruled out.
3 minGonzalez tries to play the ball in behind Garcia at the back for the run of Moraes, but the Tel Aviv defence are alert to the danger and Rajkovic comes off his line to gather.
5 minGarcia comes in from behind on Moraes as he tries to raid past the defender. Kiev have a free kick in a dangerous position 25 yards from goal as Rybalka and Yarmolenko stand over the ball.
6 minRybalka can only slam his strike straight into the wall and Kiev players scream for a penalty, but referee dismisses their claims.
7 minDanilo feeds the ball into the path of Yarmolenko inside the box and he turns his man with ease before sending a low ball across the face of goal, but Tibi clears the ball behind.
9 minMaccabi spring to life with Zahavi and Miha on the wings, but neither player can produce a quality ball into the box, which allows the home side to get back in numbers and clear the danger.
12 minCHANCE! Moraes latches on to a ball over the top from Yarmolenko and strikes the ball first time on the half-volley. The ball looks to be dipping under the bar, but Rajkovic reacts to tip his powerful strike over the bar.
13 minUPDATE! Chelsea have taken the lead through an own goal from Marcano in their clash against Porto. Good news for Kiev if they can go ahead here.
14 minHuge worry for Kiev as Yarmolenko hits the deck and screams in agony after trying to beat Rikan down the wing. It's not looking good for the Ukraine international as landed awkwardly on his foot.
16 minGOAL! Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Garmash)
16 minHuge moment in Group G as Kiev take the lead through Garmash, which would put them through as it stands. Rybalka took the free kick from the foul on Yarmolenko and Ben Haim tried to stop his curling delivery from reaching the six-yard box, but could only poke his attempt towards the bottom corner. Rajkovic made a good stop on the line, but Garmash reacted first to slam the ball into the net.
18 minSUBSTITUTION: Yarmolenko makes way on a cart and is replaced by Oleg Gusev. A prolonged absence could be very damaging for Rebrov's men.
20 minCHANCE! Gusev works the ball towards the middle for Moraes, who manages to peel off his man into space. The forward turns and unleashes a strike at goal, but he can only send his right-footed strike over the bar.
22 minMaccabi win a corner from sloppy play from the home side, leaving Zahavi with a chance to put a cross into the box. The forward sends his effort towards the near post, but Garcia's attempted flick-on goes over the bar. Not the best starts from the visitors this evening.
23 minGonzalez displays his quick feet down the left to weave through two challenges before he is brought down by Alberman on the edge of the box.
24 minRybalka curls his effort over the wall, but the ball goes straight into the arms of Rajkovic. His teammates aren't to pleased with his attempt there.
27 minCHANCE! Tel Aviv hit the home side on the break as Zahavi and Micha link-up in the final third to send Rikan down the left. The midfielder lifts a cross into the box from the byline and Micha connects with a volley, but his effort is sliced and travels behind for a goal kick.
28 minGusev raids down the flank for the home side and has the chance to loft a cross into the box. His delivery proves to be too high for head of Moraes and Tibi clears the ball, but only as far as Rybalka 30 yards from goal. The midfielder hits the ball on the volley with an ambitious strike, but his attempt goes well wide of the target.
30 minYELLOW CARD! Antunes goes into the book for a challenge on Ben Haim. He will miss his side's next European match.
33 minKiev are strolling the match at the moment as they are keeping possession by knocking the ball around the defence and midfield. Tel Aviv have dropped right off and are well and truly encamped on the edge of their box. Not a classic!
36 minJokanovic's men have barely had a foot on the ball over the past five minutes. The Tel Aviv boss said before the game that his side did not need motivation for this match, but their display in the opening 35 minutes of this game has been extremely tepid.
38 minCHANCE! A mistake at the back almost opens the door up for Tel Aviv to equalise as Micha lifts a dangerous cross to the back post and Dasa gets in behind Antunes. However, he cannot control the ball first time and sends his effort over the bar. A real opportunity for the visitors.
40 minYELLOW CARD! Danilo Silva goes into the book for a challenge on Ben Haim. A free kick in a dangerous area of the pitch for the visitors.
41 minCHANCE! Shovkovsky gets away with an absolute clanger as Zahavi blasts the ball at goal from a tight angle. The Kiev keeper palms his effort up vertically in the air and is unsure what to do next. He tries to punch the ball a second time, but cannot make a good connection and the ball comes with inches of nestling inside the post. However. fortunately for Shovkovsky it lands just the other side and goes out for a corner. Huge let off for Kiev.
42 minYELLOW CARD! Igiebor goes into the book for handball for Tel Aviv from the resulting corner.
45 minYELLOW CARD! The referee produces his yellow card for the fourth time in the match as Rybalka enters the book for a challenge on Ben Haim. The decision was harsh as the winger may have jumped into the Kiev man there.
45 minHALF-TIME: Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
8.33pmAs it stands, Kiev are heading through into the last 16 of the Champions League as Denis Garmash's 16th-minute strike has put Serhiy Rebrov's men ahead. Meanwhile, Chelsea hold a 1-0 lead in their clash against Porto in the other match in Group G which would send the Ukrainian team through in second place.
8.35pmKiev have not put a in a great display this evening as they have struggled for fluency in the final third, which was not helped by the loss of Andriy Yarmolenko to injury. However, Rebrov will want to see a lot more from his team to make their lead comfortable due to two lapses at the back, which on another day may have found the net and cost his team.
8.45pmThe players are back out for the second half, so we should be underway shortly.
46 minRESTART! We're back underway in Kiev.
47 minGonzalez tries to latch on to a cross from Gusev at the back post, but he nudges Rada at the back post to spurn the opening. The winger did not need to do that.
48 minCHANCE! Garmash misses a huge opportunity to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors after they won a free kick down the left. Rybalka sends a dangerous ball across the face of goal and Garmash has a free header three yards from the net, but he can only glance his effort past the post. An incredible miss, which be very costly.
50 minMicha causes problems in the final third for the home side by playing a through-ball down the inside left channel for Ben Haim. The ball gets cleared after good block from Khacheridi, but it comes back to Micha on the edge of the box and he strikes an effort at goal, although Khacheridi is there again to make the crucial stand for the hosts.
52 minUPDATE! Chelsea have moved 2-0 ahead against Porto through Willian's strike. The Blues look to be set to reach the knockout phase, will Kiev be able to join them by holding out for the win this evening.
55 minCHANCE! Ben Haim causes problems for the home side by raiding down the flank and he sends a low ball across the face of goal, but no player in blue can react to turn the ball into the net. It would have been a tap-in, but Shovkovsky watched as the ball saild past his post.
57 minCHANCE! Gusev sends a cross into the box from the right, and Tibi heads the ball clear, but only as far as Antunes 30 yards from goal. The left-back takes a touch before drilling his left-footed volley towards goal, only to see his effort drift inches past the post.
59 minTel Aviv look more confident than their display in the first half. They have had a good share of possession since the restart and have posed a threat down the flanks through Micha and Ben Haim.
62 minCHANCE! Zahavi races down the flank and plays the ball into the feet of Igiebor, who returns the ball on to the striker's right foot. Zahavi goes for goal with a curling effort, but he gets his strike all wrong as it sails over the bar. Good move until the strike from Tel Aviv.
63 minSUBSTITUTION: Goalscorer Garmash makes way for the home side to be replaced by Veloso.
66 minDasa brings down Moraes down the left flank in a similar position to where Rybalka delivered the free kick that Garmash headed past the post in the early stages of the half. Could the home side kill the game off here?
67 minTibi gets to Rybalka's cross first, but cannot complete the clearance and Antunes heads the ball tamely back across goal. However, Rajkovic comes off his line to claim the ball ahead of Gusev.
69 minKiev keep the pressure on the visitors as Rybalka lines up a strike from the edge of the box, but Ben Harush diverts his effort behind for a corner.
72 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Vermouth and Peretz come on for the visitors to replace Micha and Igiebor.
75 minThe tempo of the game has dropped off significantly over the past few minutes. Kiev are in an interesting situation as they know a second goal at this stage would secure the three points, but it would leave them open at the back to push more men forward. Dilemma for Rebrov.
78 minThe quality from the home side has suffered due to the absence of Yarmolenko. Moraes tried to make the best out of a poor ball from Sydorchuk, but he could only foul Ben Harush as he tries to win possession.
79 minBen Haim gets in behind the Kiev defence as he latches on to a through-ball from Zahavi, but his delivery into the box is poor as men flooded forward from midfield. Worrying moment for the home side as they were cut open there.
80 minYELLOW CARD! Tibi goes into the book for bringing down Gonzalez.
82 minSUBSTITUTION: Ben Haim makes way for Itzhaki in the visitors' final change.
83 minCHANCE! Khacheridi has the opportunity to send his side through to the last 16 by rising highest in the area to head Veloso's free kick at goal, but he can only head his effort wide of the target.
86 minYELLOW CARD: Itzhaki is booked for hacking down Antunes down the left flank.
88 minSUBSTITUTION: Moraes makes way for the home side to be replaced by Teodorczyk
88 minKiev are focused on keeping the ball at this stage of the match. They are not committing may men forwarrd beyond the centre circle as they seek to hold out for the three points.
89 minCHANCE! Rybalka tries to end the match with a long-range effort on his left foot. The midfielder gets plenty of power on his strike, but Rajkovic gets his body behind the ball to claim it.
90 minThere will be three minutes of added time.
90 + 1 minRybalka brings down Itzhaki and Zahavi has the chance to put a threatening ball into the box. However, the delivery from the Israel fails to beat the first man and Kiev clear their lines.
90 + 2 minOne last chance for Tel Aviv to knock the ball into the box from a free kick.
90 + 2 minAlberman takes the kick short to Dasa, but the referee blows his whistle to end the game before the defender can put the ball into the box.
90 + 3 minFULL-TIME: Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
9.36pmDYNAMO KIEV ADVANCE TO THE LAST 16 OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
9.36pmDenis Garmash's strike in the first half was enough to hand the three points to Rebrov's men, while Porto's defeat against Chelsea has seen them through to the knockout stage of the Champions League. A huge moment for the club as they have advanced to the last 16 for the first time in 16 years.
9.38pmThe game was far from a classic this evening as both Kiev and Maccabi Tel Aviv produced poor displays, but Rebrov will not care about his team's performance at the moment as they did just enough to advance thanks to Garmash's goal in the 16th minute. As a result of their second-place finish, Kiev could be handed a tie against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid or Zenit St Petersburg, something for Rebrov and his men to look forward to next week when the draw is made.
9.40pmMaccabi have ended their campaign in the Champions League without a single point to show from their exploits in the group stage. They displayed quality at times, but were nowhere need good enough to threaten to reach the next round of the competition.
9.43pmThanks for joining our commentary this evening, until next time, goodbye.
