Ukraine 5-3 Iceland Player Ratings: Albert Gudmundsson Rated 9/10 but Ukraine Win Thriller by Two Goals

In one of the most dramatic fixtures of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, Ukraine emerged victorious with a pulsating 5-3 win over Iceland at Laugardalsvöllur — a match that delivered a relentless display of attacking football and defensive frailty in equal measure.

The encounter was a whirlwind from the outset, with momentum swinging wildly between the two sides. Ruslan Malinovskyi led the charge for Ukraine with an impressive brace, but it was Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson who nearly stole the show, inspiring a spirited comeback with two goals of his own to level the score at 3-3.

Just as the hosts appeared poised to complete the turnaround, Ukraine found another gear in the closing stages. Ivan Kalyuzhnyi and a late substitute added decisive goals to settle an unforgettable contest. While defensive organisation was in short supply, the match more than made up for it with sheer entertainment and attacking flair — a true spectacle that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. Here are Sportsduni's Ukraine vs Iceland Player ratings:

Ukraine National Football Team Player Ratings vs Iceland

Here are Ukraine Player ratings from Iceland vs Ukraine World Cup Qualifier:

Goalkeeper

Anatoliy Trubin - 5.0: A really tough day for the keeper. He conceded three goals and was credited with an error leading to a goal. He made one save but looked shaky throughout. What stood out to us was his poor command of the box on crosses. Not a performance he will want to remember.

Defenders

Yukhym Konoplya - 5.5: A difficult evening for the right-back. He was dribbled past and picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul. He looked overwhelmed at times by Iceland's attackers. He did win a few duels but lost possession too often for our liking. An area of weakness Iceland exploited.

Ilya Zabarnyi - 7.0: Probably the best of a bad bunch at the back. He was a monster in the air, winning all his aerial duels, and made a whopping eight clearances. He stood firm while others around him were crumbling. A composed performance amidst utter chaos.

Vitaliy Mykolenko - 8.0: An excellent performance from the left-back. He provided a crucial assist and was a constant threat going forward. Defensively, he won an incredible 78% of his duels which is amazing in a game this open. He even made a clearance off the line. A truly all-action display.

Mykola Matvienko - 6.0: The captain had a mixed game. His passing was decent, but he was part of a defense that shipped three goals. He picked up a yellow card and didn't seem to organize the backline effectively when Iceland mounted their comeback. An average day at the office.

Midfielders

Ruslan Malinovskyi - 8.5: What a player. He was the driving force for Ukraine. He scored two absolutely brilliant goals, showing his quality from range. From our perspective, his confidence on the ball was infectious. He lost possession a bit much, but his end product more than made up for it.

Oleksiy Gutsulyak - 7.5: Popped up with a crucial goal just before halftime. He was a willing runner and provided a good outlet for his team. His performance was full of energy and intent before being substituted late on. A very positive contribution.

Mykola Shaparenko - 6.0: A strangely quiet game from him. He was neat in possession but failed to make any real impact on the match. We noticed he was often on the periphery of the action before being subbed off. A forgettable outing.

Ivan Kalyuzhnyi - 8.0: An unsung hero for his side. He scored the vital fourth goal that put Ukraine back in front. Beyond the goal, he was solid defensively, making tackles and interceptions. A complete midfield performance that deserves a lot of credit.

Georgiy Sudakov - N/A: Unfortunately had to be withdrawn in the first half due to injury. He didn't have enough time to influence the game.

Forwards

Vladyslav Vanat - 6.5: He worked tirelessly up front but it wasn't his day in front of goal. He created one chance for a teammate but struggled to get into scoring positions himself. His movement was good, but the final touch was lacking before his substitution.

Substitutes

Oleh Ocheretko - 7.5: Came on and sealed the deal with a fantastic strike from distance. An instant and decisive impact. You can't ask for more from a substitute.

Artem Dovbyk - 6.5: Replaced Vanat and offered a physical presence but didn't get many chances.

Artem Bondarenko - N/A: Came on late with the game already won.

Vladyslav Veleten - N/A: A late introduction to see out the result.

Manager

S. Rebrov - 7.5: His team's attacking plan was clearly brilliant, as scoring five goals shows. However, the defensive structure was a major concern, almost costing them the game. His substitutions were spot on, especially Ocheretko. He gets the win, but lots to work on at the back.

Iceland National Football Team Player Ratings vs Ukraine

Here are Iceland Player ratings from Ukraine vs Iceland vs World Cup Qualifier:

Goalkeeper

Elías Ólafsson - 4.0: An absolute nightmare for the Icelandic keeper. Conceding five goals is a day you want to erase from memory. He only made one save all game. He looked helpless as the shots flew past him. A performance completely devoid of confidence.

Defenders

Daníel Leó Grétarsson - 5.5: He saw a lot of the ball, but as part of a defense that conceded five, it's hard to rate him highly. He was involved in a lot of passing sequences but was defensively suspect when Ukraine turned up the heat. Not his finest hour.

Victor Pálsson - 5.0: A really poor performance. He was dribbled past multiple times and just couldn't handle the movement of the Ukrainian attackers. He looked a yard off the pace all game. A very difficult evening for the defender.

Sverrir Ingi Ingason - 6.0: He was incredibly busy, making a massive 10 clearances. But he was also part of a defense that was torn to shreds. He won a decent number of duels but was ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of attacks. Fought hard but it wasn't enough.

Mikael Egill Ellertsson - 6.5: What a bizarre game from him. He scored a goal to bring his team level, which was a great moment. However, he was also responsible for an error leading to a goal. A real mixed bag of a performance, great going forward but a liability at the back.

Midfielders

Hákon Arnar Haraldsson - 7.0: The captain led by example in an attacking sense, getting an assist and always trying to make things happen. He was constantly on the ball, trying to dictate play. However, his team was defensively chaotic, and he couldn't stem the tide.

Ísak Jóhannesson - 7.5: One of Iceland's better players. He was so tidy in possession, with a 92% pass accuracy, and he chipped in with an assist. He kept his team ticking over even when things were going against them. A very composed display.

Albert Gudmundsson - 9.0: A phenomenal performance. Our Man of the Match, without a doubt. He scored two brilliant goals to drag his team back into the game and even hit the woodwork. He was a constant menace, a true bright spark in a losing effort. Deserved better than to be on the losing side.

Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson - 6.0: He was energetic and involved on the wing but lacked a decisive contribution. He got into some good positions, but the final ball or shot wasn't there. Substituted in the second half.

Forwards

Sævar Atli Magnússon - 5.5: A thankless task up front. He battled away but lost the vast majority of his duels against a physical Ukrainian defense. He was largely ineffective and struggled to make any impact on the game.

Andri Gudjohnsen - 7.0: A solid outing for the forward. He provided an assist for one of the goals and linked up well. He created a couple of chances and was a handful for the defenders, though he couldn't get a goal himself.

Substitutes

Kristian Hlynsson - 6.0: Came on but couldn't change the final outcome.

Logi Tómasson - 6.0: Added some fresh legs but the game was already gone.

Mikael Anderson - N/A: A very late substitute.

Manager

A. Gunnlaugsson - 6.5: Credit where it's due, his team showed incredible heart to fight back from 3-1 down to 3-3. The attacking spirit was immense. But the defensive organization was nonexistent. Conceding five at home is simply not good enough, and he couldn't fix it.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match Goes To Albert Gudmundsson