Two Dynamo Kyiv players helped the Ukrainian national team claim an impressive 5:3 away win against Iceland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
The match turned into a true spectacle full of goals and drama. Ukraine took the lead early on when Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a cross from Vitalii Mykolenko in the 14th minute. Despite Iceland’s equalizer the Blue-and-Yellows finished the first half strongly: Oleksandr Hutsulyak restored the lead following a fine combination involving Mykola Shaparenko, Nazar Voloshyn and Vladyslav Vanat, while Malinovskyi added a third in stoppage time after a smart assist from Voloshyn.
In the second half Iceland managed to draw level at 3:3 but late goals from Kalyuzhnyi and Ocheretko secured a well-deserved victory for Serhiy Rebrov’s side.
Mykola Shaparenko started the match and played 70 minutes, contributing to several attacking moves, including the second goal. Nazar Voloshyn entered the game in the 39th minute to replace the injured Heorhii Sudakov and provided an assist for Ukraine’s third goal remaining on the pitch until the final whistle.
After three matches Ukraine have earned four points and currently occupy second place in Group D. The next qualifier will take place on Monday, October 13, when Ukraine host Azerbaijan.
2026 World Cup Qualifiers – Group D
Iceland – Ukraine – 3:5 (1:3)
Ukraine: Trubin, Konoplia, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko (c), Mykolenko, Kalyuzhnyi, Malinovskyi (Bondarenko, 87), Shaparenko (Ocheretko, 70), Hutsulyak (Veleten, 87), Sudakov (Voloshyn, 39), Vanat (Dovbyk, 70).
Goals: Ellertsson (34), Gudmundsson (59, 75) – Malinovskyi (14, 45+5), Hutsulyak (45), Kalyuzhnyi (85), Ocheretko (88).
