There was not only one match from Group D of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup this Friday evening. While France defeated Azerbaijan at home (3-0), Ukraine won at Iceland (3-5). An important victory for Ruslan Malinovskyi, author of a double, and his partners.
The former OM player opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Mikael Egill Ellertsson equalized for the Icelanders (1-1, 35th). But ten minutes later, the visitors went back in front thanks to Olekssi Gutsulyak (1-2, 45th) before Malinovskyi went with his second pawn (1-3, 45th+5).
The match will continue at the same pace and Albert Gudmundsson will also score a double to bring his team level once again (59th and 75th). But the Ukrainians pressed on one last time to win 3-5. This success allows them to get back in front of their victim of the day and occupy second place in the group, five points behind the Blues and one unit ahead of Iceland.
Switzerland is soaring
In the shock of Group B, Switzerland won in Sweden (0-2). The locals did not succeed in these qualifications and suffered a second setback in a row, counting only one point after three days. The Nati, for its part, signs a third consecutive success, enough to be a clear leader ahead of Kosovo who shared the points with Slovenia (0-0).
In addition to Belgium-North Macedonia (0-0) and Germany-Luxembourg (4-0), the last match of the evening saw Northern Ireland dispose of Slovakia (2-0) at home. A success which allows him to count six points and move into second place. The Mannschaft, the Northern Irish and the Slovaks all have the same number of points in a group that could not be tighter.
