In one of the most entertaining matches of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, Ukraine triumphed 5–3 over Iceland in Reykjavik on October 10, 2025, in a game that showcased attacking flair, resilience, and the never-say-die spirit of Serhiy Rebrov’s side.
The first half began at a blistering pace, with both teams eager to assert dominance. Iceland’s home crowd created a fiery atmosphere, but Ukraine quickly silenced them when Ruslan Malinovskyi opened the scoring with a powerful long-range strike. The experienced midfielder, known for his precision from distance, found the net inside the opening 15 minutes to put Ukraine ahead.
Iceland, however, refused to back down. Their midfield pressed high, forcing turnovers, and were rewarded in the 34th minute when Mikael Egill Ellertsson equalized. His finish brought the hosts level and reignited belief among the Icelandic fans that another upset might be possible.
Yet Ukraine responded immediately and ruthlessly. Just before halftime, Oleksandr Zinchenko orchestrated a sweeping counterattack that allowed Malinovskyi to score his second of the night, restoring Ukraine’s lead. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Oleksii Hutsulyak added a third goal, turning a tense contest into a 3–1 advantage for the visitors at the break.
The second half opened with Iceland pushing forward, desperate to claw back into the game. Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when Albert Gudmundsson converted a clever move in the box to make it 3–2. The Reykjavik crowd roared as Iceland’s momentum surged, and when Gudmundsson struck again in the 75th minute to level the score at 3–3, it looked like the night might belong to the hosts.
But Ukraine refused to crumble. Their composure and tactical discipline shone through as head coach Serhiy Rebrov made key substitutions to refresh his midfield and attack. With just five minutes remaining, substitute Ivan Kalyuzhnyi broke the deadlock with a precise low finish after a quick exchange near the penalty area. The goal deflated Iceland’s comeback hopes and re-energized the Ukrainian supporters who had traveled to Reykjavik.
Not content to simply defend the lead, Ukraine continued to press. In the 89th minute, Oleg Ocheretko sealed the result with a fifth goal — a stunning strike that capped off a thrilling display of Ukrainian determination and attacking depth.
The 5–3 victory marked a crucial moment in Ukraine’s qualification campaign. It demonstrated not only the team’s offensive power — with five different contributors involved in the goals — but also its mental toughness in recovering after surrendering a two-goal lead. Malinovskyi’s brace reminded fans of his enduring quality, while younger players like Kalyuzhnyi and Ocheretko showed that Ukraine’s next generation is ready to deliver under pressure.
For Iceland, the loss was painful but full of positives. Albert Gudmundsson’s brace underscored his status as one of the Nordic nation’s top talents, and their ability to score three times against a disciplined Ukrainian side showed real promise. Yet, defensive lapses at key moments cost them dearly against a relentless opponent.
With this result, Ukraine stays firmly in contention for qualification ahead of their final group fixtures. The team’s eight-goal battle in Reykjavik will be remembered as one of the most electrifying matches of the 2025 qualifying campaign — a true showcase of Ukrainian football’s resilience, creativity, and heart.
