KHARKIV, Ukraine (Interstat) — Metalist Kharkiv opened its Persha Liga season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Chernihiv on Tuesday, secured by a stoppage-time winner at Stadion Avanhard in Uzhgorod.

Maksym Bagachanskyi gave the hosts a lead in the 26th minute. Chernihiv found a late equalizer through Danylo Kaidalov in the 89th minute, but Metalist responded almost immediately. Andrii Stoliarchuk scored the decisive goal in the second minute of added time, clinching the win.

The result defied a pregame projection of a 1-1 draw from Interstat. Its system had given Metalist Kharkiv a 73.9 percent probability to win. Metalist begins the campaign with a win, while Chernihiv starts with a loss.