The head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Serhiy Rebrov, summed up the results of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against the Iceland national team (2:0) on the broadcaster’s air.
Serhiy Rebrov— Serhiy Stanislavovych, the match was such that watching it was like being on an electric chair — in 90 minutes you could both go gray and age. What are your emotions after this victory?
— My emotions are the same as those of all Ukrainians. I am grateful to the players. When I entered the locker room after the final whistle, the guys said: «This was a team, a real team.» And indeed, the match could have gone differently. Tolya pulled off a very difficult save, but the main thing is that we were a collective that was eager to win. And I believe we deserved it today.
— What is the secret of such energy? We haven’t seen such an aggressive, collected, and inspired team in a long time.
— Because it was a decisive match. I can’t say that the guys weren’t charged in Azerbaijan; it was just a different game there. Every match is different. And today was the last meeting of the year, with a lot of talk, a lot of pressure. And it all influenced us. But they went out and delivered exactly what was needed.
— You kept part of the lineup before the match against France. The freshness was noticeable today. In the second half, you increased in attack: Hutsulyak came out, provided an assist, and scored. This looks like a coach’s victory.
— I think it’s a players' victory. But yes, it was clear to many that in the game against France, the guys needed a rest. Everyone knows it’s hard for the Ukrainian national team to play consecutive matches. So we made this decision, and it turned out to be the right one.
— This is the first of three finals. The first — victorious one. Ahead is the play-off and the continuation of the fight for the World Cup.
— That’s exactly what I told the players. I thanked them and added: we have two more steps. We need to prepare at the clubs, because the next matches won’t be soon, but everyone already understands that we can show the level we showed today.
