Iceland 0-1 France
France took a big stride towards qualification for Euro 2020 tonight after a hard fought victory over Iceland in Reykyavik.
This is a big week in Group H with Euro 2020, Iceland vs France the pick of tonight’s matches. And Les Bleus controlled the game for long periods but found it hard to break down a stubborn Iceland defence.
Even though France were without some key players, the pre-match Iceland vs France betting tips generally went for an away win. But it took until midway through the second half for Didier Deschamps men to find a way through, with the aid of a penalty calmly slotted home by Olivier Giroud.
France is just one win away from qualification, but it was a bad night for Iceland who are now six points behind the top two places.
Highlights of the Game
Iceland had an uphill battle from the off and it was made that little bit harder when they lost winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson to injury as early as the 14th minute, and he was replaced by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.
Antoine Griezmann dominated the summer transfer headlines in La Liga with his big money move to Barcelona, but he struggled to dominate Iceland in the first 45 minutes as Iceland frustrated their illustrious opponents. He did have a chance when Gylfi Sigurdsson handled just outside the penalty area, but his free-kick sailed over the crossbar.
As Les Bleus frustration mounted Olivier Giroud earned himself a yellow card for a persistent penalty appeal after he thought Kari Arnason had handled.
Iceland had a couple of half chances, Bodvarsson bringing a good save from Steve Mandanda and then Birkir Bjarnason firing wide.
France wing back Benjamin Pavard has a good shot on him, and he tried his luck from 25 yards which Hannes Halldorsson reacted well to save after it took a big deflection off Griezmann.
And then, as France turned up the heat the Barca man tested Halldorsson with a snapshot which he saved comfortably.
Les Bleus eventually broke the deadlock, on 64 minutes, and Griezmann was at the centre of the drama. It looked like he took a theatrical dive after he brushed past Ari Freyr Skulason, but replays showed that the Iceland defender had caught the Barca man on the knee and the referee got his penalty decision right.
Griezmann had to go off for medical attention, while Olivier Giroud lined up the penalty, and he sent the keeper the wrong way, rolling the ball into the bottom right corner.
Blaise Matuidi almost made it two when Kingsley Coman pulled the ball back into the centre of the penalty area, but his shot bounced back off the upright. Wissam Ben Yedder replaced Giroud and he had a great chance immediately with a one-on-one on the keeper, but Halldorsson saved well to keep Iceland in the game.
And Ben Yedder should have added a second with the last kick of the match but he screwed his shot wide.
Key Statistics
Les Bleus won their home match against Iceland 4-0, but there was little sign of a repeat tonight as the hosts defended stoutly in the first half, restricting their opponents to just two shots on goal, despite enjoying 70 per cent possession.
The visitors needed a penalty to win the game, but it was a deserved victory as they registered another four shots on target in the second period, while still having the majority of possession. Iceland failed to test Mandanda again.
Giroud’s goal was his 37th for Les Bleus, not bad for a player who hasn’t always enjoyed the French fan’s appreciation!
It was a first competitive defeat on home soil for Our Boys since 2013, having won seven and drawn two of the last nine. But they have had little joy in terms of Iceland vs France results with just four draws in 15 games, losing the other 11.
What’s Next?
There’s more Group H action on the way SBOBET football fans, when France takes on Turkey in a game which should see Les Bleus on the way to Euro 2020. They lost the return fixture 2-0, a result which blew the group wide open, and the Turks stay level at the top of Group H having scored a last minute winner against Albania tonight.
Iceland welcome group whipping boys Andorra, a must win game, to try to close that six point gap. They are still alive, but only just.
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