Azerbaijanis are rejoicing and praising the team despite the draw. The Azerbaijani national team held a 1:1 draw against Ukraine at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in the qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup, giving fans hope. After a crushing defeat against Iceland (0:5), this draw has been a breath of fresh air for a team facing a crisis. Azerbaijani media praise the players’ spirit and see chances for second place despite Azerbaijan being considered the underdog in this group after the draw.
Photo: UAFA Draw as a Symbol of Renewal
The Azerbaijani national team drew with Ukraine (1:1) in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. For a team that suffered a humiliating defeat against Iceland (0:5) a week ago, this result was a true triumph. Azerbaijani media received the draw with cautious optimism, calling it “a hope for renewal” and “the first step out of a crisis.” Although Ukraine dominated, the character of the hosts and their ability to fight until the end became the main topic in local publications.
The match started with a clear advantage for Ukraine, acknowledged by all journalists. “Ukraine played better, created opportunities, and deserved to win,” writes one journalist, noting the dangerous attacks in the early minutes and the penalty awarded against Azerbaijan, which the referee overturned after reviewing the VAR. Azerbaijan, led by the new coach — Aykan Abbasov — played defensively but did not forget about counterattacks, taking advantage of the mistakes of Ukraine’s defense and creating several promising chances. Journalists emphasize that the first half was a “lesson in survival,” where the hosts held on thanks to their character and determination to avoid embarrassment for the second time in a row.
Character and the Redemption Goal
The turning point came after the break. Azerbaijani journalists agree: the second half showed the true spirit of the team. As in the match against Iceland, Azerbaijan conceded a quick goal after the break, but this time the team did not fall apart and showed character. “After the 0:5 defeat against Iceland, we saw broken players, but today they did exactly what was expected of them — fought to the final whistle and deserved to draw,” praises the team, a journalist enthuses. Ukraine continued to pressure and could have snatched the victory, but Azerbaijan held firm. The media praises the goalkeeper and the defense for successfully fending off Ukraine’s attacks in the last minutes.
Hope for Better
Azerbaijani journalists see this match as a turning point. “After the failure against Iceland, the team rallied and took on the favorite,” notes a journalist from Idman, adding that the next match with Ukraine and a rematch with Iceland could present a chance for victory. An APA Sport representative suggests that with improved performance and Abbasov’s adaptation, the national team could contend for second place. “This is not the end of the crisis, but the beginning of a new path,” he sums up, urging fans to support the team.
The 1:1 draw with Ukraine became for Azerbaijan not just a result, but a symbol of renewal. Local media agrees: despite the objective superiority of the opponent, the character of the players and their faith in themselves helped achieve a positive result. Journalists believe that this match will mark the start of the way out of the crisis and see it as an opportunity to fight for second place. Difficult games lie ahead, but in Azerbaijan, there is hope that the draw with Ukraine can restore the team’s faith in themselves. And this will help in the remaining rounds to contend for second place.
Dmitry Malyanov
