Ukraine defeats Iceland to advance to playoffs

November 17, 2025, at 12:05 AM. Ukraine's team defeated Iceland 2-0 and secured second place in Group D.

With this victory, the hosts advanced to the playoff stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. From the opening minutes of the match, Ukraine controlled possession and increased their attacks from the flanks.

Tsygankov and Zubkov were very active, supported by Mykolenko. In the 24th minute, Tsygankov took a powerful long-range shot, but the ball hit Olafsson's goalpost and bounced back.

Iceland occasionally launched counterattacks through Gudmundsson and Gudjohnsen. However, Ukraine's defenders and goalkeeper Trubin dealt with the opponent's shots without much trouble.

Thus, the first half ended without any goals, although both teams had plenty of opportunities. In the second half, Ukraine bolstered their attack by substituting in Yaremchuk, Shaparenko, and Gutsulyak.

As the hosts increased their pressure, Olafsson repeatedly rescued his team. In the 68th minute, Mykolenko fired a dangerous shot towards the near post, but the Icelandic goalkeeper deflected the ball to the corner.

The decisive moments occurred in the final minutes of the game. In the 83rd minute, a corner kick from Tsygankov was redirected by Gutsulyak to the far post.

Zubkov headed the ball into the net. In stoppage time, Ukraine executed a quick counterattack.

Shaparenko set up Gutsulyak in a one-on-one situation, and the player sent the ball into the near corner of the goal with the help of a defender's deflection. Ukraine's team accumulated 10 points, surpassed Iceland, and advanced to the playoff stage.

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