Ukraine Storms Back in Reykjavík, Delivers Eight-Goal Thriller to Keep World Cup Dream Alive

REYKJAVÍK — The scoreboard at Laugardalsvöllur told a story of chaos Friday night, but the final tally told a harsher truth: Ukraine's World Cup qualification hopes remain flickering, while Iceland's grow dimmer by the match.

In a contest that lurched from one extreme to another, Ukraine emerged with a 5-3 victory that was far more complicated than the final margin suggests. The visitors found themselves behind early, clawed back before halftime, then survived a second-half Iceland resurgence before pulling away in the dying moments.

For Ukraine, desperate for points after a disappointing draw with Azerbaijan five days ago and a loss to France before that, the three points represented salvation — messy, imperfect, but crucial. For Iceland, who had hammered Azerbaijan 5-0 in September before falling to France, this was the kind of defeat that raises uncomfortable questions about defensive organization and mental fortitude.

A Frenetic First Half

Ruslan Malinovskyi opened the scoring in the 14th minute, finishing clinically after Ukraine's midfield carved through Iceland's defensive shape with disturbing ease. The goal should have served as a warning. Instead, Iceland responded with the kind of confidence that comes from putting five past Azerbaijan, equalizing through Mikael Ellertsson in the 35th minute.

What followed was a collapse.

In first-half stoppage time, Ukraine struck twice in rapid succession. Oleksii Hutsuliak restored the lead, and before Iceland could regroup, Malinovskyi added his second to send the visitors into the interval with a 3-1 advantage that felt both commanding and fragile.

Iceland's Brief Revival

Albert Guðmundsson, Iceland's most dangerous player, dragged his team back into contention with two goals in a 16-minute span during the second half. His 59th-minute strike made it 3-2, and when he converted again in the 75th minute to level the match, Laugardalsvöllur erupted. Suddenly, the prospect of Iceland salvaging a point — or even stealing all three — seemed not just possible but probable.

But World Cup qualification demands sustained excellence, not flashes of brilliance, and Iceland couldn't maintain the pressure. Ukraine's late surge exposed the home side's inability to close out matches against quality opposition.

The Final Blow

Ivan Kalyuzhnyi restored Ukraine's lead in the 85th minute, a goal that deflated Iceland's comeback and exposed the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them in qualifying. Oleg Ocheretko added a fifth in the 89th minute, the kind of late insurance goal that turns a nervous finish into a comfortable victory in the record books, if not in real time.

What It Means

The result leaves Ukraine with renewed hope in a qualification group where every point carries enormous weight. After stumbling to a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan — a match they should have won handily — and falling to France, this victory offers a lifeline. The three points won't erase the inconsistency that has marked their campaign, but they provide breathing room.

Iceland's position grows more precarious. The 5-0 thrashing of Azerbaijan now looks like an outlier rather than a turning point. Back-to-back losses to France and now Ukraine, both at home, suggest a team struggling to find the consistency required at this level. With World Cup qualifying offering little margin for error, Iceland faces an uphill climb to remain relevant in the group.

Looking Ahead

Ukraine must build on this performance without forgetting how nearly they squandered a two-goal lead. Their next matches will determine whether this was a genuine resurgence or merely a reprieve. For Iceland, the challenge is more fundamental: finding defensive stability while maintaining the attacking threat that Guðmundsson provides.

In a group where France remains the prohibitive favorite, both teams needed this match more than they could afford to admit. Ukraine got it. Iceland, despite Guðmundsson's heroics, left with nothing but questions about what might have been and mounting doubts about what comes next.