On Sunday, November 16, the Ukrainian national team played its final match of the World Cup 2026 qualifying round — in Warsaw, against the Icelandic national team.
Photo — Oleksandr PopovWorld Cup 2026. Qualifiers, Europe. Group D. Round 6.
UKRAINE — ICELAND — 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: Zubkov (83), Gutsulyak (90+3)
Warnings: Malinovskyi (75), Konoplia (85) — Jóhannesson (45+1)
Ukraine: 12.Trubin — 2.Konoplia, 13.Zabarnyi, 22.Matviyenko (C), 16.Mykolenko — 6.Kalyuzhnyi, 8.Malinovskyi (11.Gutsulyak, 77), 18.Yarmolyuk, 20.Zubkov (4.Svatok, 87), 15.Tsygankov (17.Nazaryna, 87), — 7.Vanat (9.Yaremchuk, 87).
Substitutes: 1.Volynets, 23.Riznyk, 3.Mykhailychenko, 5.Bondar, 14.Myhavko, 19.Voloshyn, 21.Karavayev.
Iceland: 1. Olafsson, 4.Pálsson, 5.Ingason, 23.Magnússon, 14.Ellertsson, (2.Thomasson, 86), 9.Haraldsson (C), 8.Jóhannesson, 10.A. Gudmundsson, 15.Viljalmsson (7.J. Gudmundsson, 65), 11.Thorsteinsson (21.D. Gudjohnsen, 86), 21.D. Gudjohnsen. 22.A. Gudjohnsen.
Substitutes: 12.Valdimarsson, 13.Einarsson, 3.Grétarsson, 6.G. Thordarson, 16.S. Thordarson, 17.Gunnarsson, 18.Baldursson, 19.Bjarkason, 20.Hlinsson.
Match transcript and statistics >>>
Post-match press conference >>>
Group D qualifying table, match schedule >>>
The decisive match for advancing to the playoffs of the qualifying cycle in our group began with attacks from Sergey Rebrov’s protégés, who were in a great mood for the encounter with the Icelanders. After the first inaccurate shot by Zubkov, it became evident how nervous both teams were.
The following minutes did not please us with spectacular football — and this was quite expected. Threats near the goal emerged only after long-range shots. Konoplia’s strike only warmed up the guest goalkeeper Olafsson, but in the 24th minute of the match, Tsygankov could have opened the score! Cutting in from the right flank to the center, the Girona midfielder struck hard from the penalty area line — straight onto Iceland’s crossbar! Our team’s best moment for the entire first half.
Later, the game again entered a «pause» in terms of chances. The Icelanders took several corners, but none resulted in anything constructive for them. Despite better ball possession, our national team could not capitalize on this advantage in the first half. Vanat attempted a beautiful backheel after a cross from Konoplia, but it was too weak...
After the break, the Ukrainian national team’s advantage became more apparent with each passing minute. Vanat missed a great chance to score, but after an almost one-on-one approach, he failed to shoot — the defenders cleared the ball. Then — more. A series of powerful strikes from Zubkov and Malinovskyi, which the Icelandic goalkeeper dealt with only with great difficulty.
Photo — Oleksandr PopovStarting from the 60th minute of the match, Rebrov’s team’s dominance became total. The guests were openly exhausted physically and couldn’t keep up with the quick breakthroughs of Tsygankov and company. The only thing the «Vikings» relied on was set pieces. It was after one of these that Trubin made a fantastic save, parrying a shot from a meter away! Just an incredible reaction from our goalkeeper!
And the denouement of this crazy confrontation came in the 83rd minute! Following another attack by the Ukrainian national team and two crazy strikes by Yaremchuk, our players earned a corner, which was converted by Zubkov at the far post! 1:0! Such a necessary and long-awaited goal!
The final touch in the match was made in the 90+3 minute by the substitute Oleksii Gutsulyak, who, not without the help of a deflection, shot accurately past the Icelandic goalkeeper — 2:0!
Thus, our national team overtakes the Icelandic team in the group and advances to the playoffs of the World Cup 2026 qualification!
Volodymyr BOBYR
