Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin delivered a decisive performance against Iceland, securing a 2-0 victory that keeps his nation’s 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive.
Trubin expressed profound satisfaction with the win, calling it a reward for years of dedication. “I have been training since I was six years old to help the team,” he told journalists after the match. “I do everything I can and cannot do to help the national team not concede.”
His heroics included a critical save in the 77th minute, stretching to block a header from Palsson with his left hand while the score remained tied. Earlier, in the 48th minute, Trubin also thwarted a close-range header from Willumsson.
Ukraine’s coach, Serhiy Rebrov, specifically praised the goalkeeper’s efforts. “Trubin made very difficult saves,” Rebrov stated. “We deserved the victory.”
Trubin, who plays professionally for Benfica, acknowledged the collective effort of his teammates but emphasized the dream is not yet fully realized. “We haven’t achieved everything yet, but our dream of reaching the World Cup is alive,” he said.
He described the match as one of the team’s best, attributing success to extreme dedication and fan support. “Each player gave not 100%, but a million percent. The fans also gave us emotion and energy,” Trubin added.
Ukraine last participated in a World Cup in 2006. Trubin highlighted the importance of this goal for the country. “We need to fulfill the dream of the players and the entire nation,” he concluded.