Fatal penalty: Ukraine and Azerbaijan drew in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Фото: REUTERS
Ukraine’s national team failed to score their first points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, drawing 1-1 away against Azerbaijan. After a goalless first half, the teams traded goals in the second half: first, Georgy Sudakov scored, and then the Azerbaijanis fought back thanks to a penalty taken by Emin Makhmudov.
The match started actively for Ukraine: already in the 3rd minute the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Vanat, but after reviewing the VAR the decision was overturned. The “blue and yellow” continued to have possession of the ball, but failed to create any real chances.
Sudakov and Zubkov tried to push through the flanks, but the shots went wide or were blocked by defenders. In the middle of the half, the hosts responded with a dangerous free kick by Makhmudov, but Trubin saved the team. The first half ended goalless — 0:0 .
After the break, the Ukrainians managed to take the lead. In the 51st minute, Zubkov fired a shot from the right flank, and Sudakov opened the scoring with a touch. It seemed that this goal would give his team confidence, but the hosts quickly equalized the game.
In the 70th minute, the referee, after reviewing VAR, recorded a handball by Zinchenko in the penalty area, and Makhmudov sent the ball into the right corner from the “mark”, equalizing the score – 1:1 .
In the final minutes, the Ukrainians created several chances: Zubkov made a dangerous shot, and already in injury time, Voloshyn could snatch victory with a long-range shot, but goalkeeper Magomedaliev saved his team.
Despite all their efforts, Serhiy Rebrov’s team failed to score three points and finished the qualifying match without a win for the second time in a row.
It was previously reported that the Ukrainian national team will play the second qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup . In Baku, the national team will meet with Azerbaijan, the game will start at 7:00 PM Kyiv time.
The day before, after a 0:2 defeat to France in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhiy Rebrov said that the team needs to better complete its attacks and capitalize on its opportunities .
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