The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers proved to be a tough night for Fernando Santos and his Azerbaijan squad. They traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland, on Friday for their first European group stage game. The outcome was a heavy 5-0 defeat, a scoreline that surely left a bitter taste.
For the first forty-five minutes, there was a glimmer of hope. The Azeri team managed to keep things tight, holding off their opponents. They largely resisted Iceland’s attacks, and it looked like they might head into halftime with the score still level. However, a crucial moment just before the whistle changed everything. In the 45th minute, plus two extra minutes, Victor Palsson found the net, assisted by Albert Gudmundsson. This lone goal gave Iceland a narrow lead going into the break.
The second half was a completely different story. Azerbaijan chose to play a more open game, hoping to find an equalizer. This tactical shift, unfortunately, backfired. They quickly conceded four more goals. The first came just two minutes after the restart, at the 47-minute mark, scored by Isak Johannesson. Johannesson was clearly in top form, as he struck again in the 56th minute, completing his brace.
Iceland didn’t stop there. Albert Gudmundsson extended their lead to 4-0 in the 66th minute, adding to his earlier assist. The final blow came at 73 minutes, with Kristian Hlynsson wrapping up the scoring. The match concluded with a decisive 5-0 victory for the home side, a disappointing start for Santos’s team.
Looking ahead, Azerbaijan faces another challenge very soon. Their next match is scheduled for Tuesday. They will play at home, welcoming Ukraine. Ukraine also started their campaign with a loss, falling 2-0 to France. As it stands, France has three points, just like Iceland, who currently leads the group. This upcoming game against Ukraine presents an immediate opportunity for Azerbaijan to try and turn their fortunes around.