Rebrov Praises Ukraine’s Crucial Victory Over Azerbaijan in World Cup Qualifiers
Ukraine’s head coach, Serhiy Rebrov, shared his insights and analysis after the national football team’s significant 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan in the fourth match of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
Following the game, the specialist held a press conference, where he elaborated on key moments of the match.
“In Azerbaijan, we faced a high-level team that plays very compact defensively.
I would note that in the game against Iceland, we had plenty of space to utilize, but today the opponent tightly defended, creating difficulties for us.
Such tactics are tough for any team, especially considering that five of our leading attacking players are injured.
This was a very important match for us, as we lost precious points in the first two games, so the players felt the weight of responsibility.
During halftime, we realized the mistakes we made, including conceding a goal, and aimed to boost our efforts, work harder, and show patience because Azerbaijan’s defense is well organized.
The team was determined and hardworking, and I am very glad that the guys managed to break the opponent’s resistance and secure this win,” said Rebrov.
He also expressed his expectations for the upcoming decisive matches against France and Iceland: “It’s very important for us to have our injured attackers return, as today’s team gave their maximum effort.
However, to compete with strong opponents like France, we need to be in optimal condition.
We strive to fight and play good football, because Ukraine’s national team always plays for victory.
The matches scheduled for November 13 against France and November 16 against Iceland are crucial.
The team that finishes first in the group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-place team will enter the qualification playoffs.
We continue to work hard and believe in our capabilities,” added the coach.
These upcoming games are decisive for the team’s future, as they strive to return to the global football stage after previous setbacks and injuries.
Ukraine’s team demonstrates resilience and a desire for victory despite a significant list of injured players, and it is entirely possible that perseverance and team unity will be the key to success in the upcoming matches.
The outcome will determine who secures a direct ticket to the World Cup and who will compete in the playoff stage.