Key Takeaways:
- Ukraine secured a 2-0 victory over Iceland in Warsaw on the final matchday in Group D
- Goals from Oleksandr Zubkov (83′) and Oleksii Gutsulyak (stoppage time) propelled Ukraine into the World Cup 2026 qualification playoffs
- Iceland, needing only a draw to advance, missed qualification and have not reached the World Cup since 2018
Match Overview
Ukraine delivered a dramatic late victory over Iceland to confirm their berth in the playoffs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In a high-stakes encounter held in Warsaw, the Ukrainian side, enduring the hardships of ongoing conflict at home, emerged with a 2-0 win. With this victory, Ukraine finished second in Group D, trailing behind group winners and World Cup finalists France.
Late goals from Oleksandr Zubkov and Oleksii Gutsuliak earned Ukraine victory over Iceland — and a World Cup play-off spot.
Ukraine were beaten by Wales in the play-off final for the 2022 World Cup. How will they fare this time? pic.twitter.com/Y5SK4yglgx
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 16, 2025
Qualification Scenarios and Key Moments
A draw in this fixture would have favoured Iceland, whose superior goal difference would have seen them advance. This left Ukraine with no choice but to seek an outright win. The match saw Serhiy Rebrov’s men on the offensive from the first whistle. An early warning came when, in the 24th minute, the post denied Ukraine an opener. Despite Iceland surviving that scare, they crafted their own opportunities, and Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was called into action in the 48th and 77th minutes with crucial saves.
The tension escalated in the 82nd minute when Roman Yaremchuk’s successive shots were thwarted by Iceland’s keeper, nearly deflating Ukraine’s hopes. But just moments later, substitute Oleksii Gutsulyak found Oleksandr Zubkov with a header, and Zubkov broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute. Sealing the outcome, Gutsulyak himself scored in stoppage time, delivering Ukraine a crucial two-goal cushion.
Consequences for Ukraine and Iceland
Ukraine’s triumph now grants them the opportunity to chase a second-ever World Cup appearance; their only previous tournament involvement came in 2006. For Iceland, heartbreak continues – after their historic lone qualification in 2018, they remain absent from the global stage.
