On Monday, October 13, Ukraine’s national football team played its fourth match in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Serhiy Rebrov’s men faced Azerbaijan.
Before halftime Ukraine had several good chances to take the lead. First Konoplia’s shot hit the crossbar and Ocheretko’s attempt on the rebound went wide. A bit later Hutsulyak fired just over the bar while Konoplia missed narrowly again. What his teammates couldn’t do, Hutsulyak managed – Malinovskyi delivered a brilliant cross from a set piece on the left and Hutsulyak headed it in from close range – 1:0.
Despite Ukraine’s dominance in the first half Azerbaijan managed to equalize in stoppage time. The Azerbaijani goalkeeper kicked long, the ball deflected off a Ukrainian player to Kafarguliyev who crossed from the left for Akhundzade – his shot, deflected by Mykolenko, went into the net – 1:1.
In the second half Ukraine continued to control the game and created several chances through Zabarnyi, Malinovskyi and Matviyenko but couldn’t convert. Finally a wonderful attacking move started by Zabarnyi and continued by Voloshyn and Hutsulyak ended with Malinovskyi’s precise strike – 2:1.
Near the end of the match the ball went into Azerbaijan’s net again – Dynamo winger Nazar Voloshyn scored from Dovbyk’s assist, firing into the far corner. However, after a long VAR review, the goal was disallowed. The score remained 2:1 until the final whistle.
Two Dynamo Kyiv players featured in this match: Nazar Voloshyn started and played the full 90 minutes while Mykola Shaparenko came on as a substitute in the 71st minute for Malinovskyi and played until the end.
In the previous two matches in September Ukraine lost 0:2 to France and drew 1:1 with Azerbaijan away. A few days ago the blue and yellows beat Iceland 5:3 on the road. After four matches Ukraine has 7 points and sits second in Group D.
Ukraine will play its next World Cup qualifier on November 13 away against France.
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Group D
October 13, Krakow (Stadion Cracovia)
Ukraine – Azerbaijan – 2:1 (1:1)
Ukraine: Trubin, Konoplia (Mykhailichenko, 46), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko (c), Mykolenko, Yarmolyuk (Bondar, 84), Malinovskyi (Shaparenko, 71), Ocheretko (Bondarenko, 71), Hutsulyak (Kaliuzhnyi, 84), Voloshyn, Dovbyk.
Goals: Hutsulyak (30), Malinovskyi (64) – Mykolenko (45+3, own goal)
Bookings: Malinovskyi (45+1), Mykhailichenko (50), Bondarenko (90+2) – Mammadaliyev (45+1)
