Iceland pulled off a gutsy efficiency on Monday evening, October 13, 2025, to grab a dramatic 2-2 draw with France of their 2026 World Cup qualifier at Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik. It was a kind of nights the place every part appeared to go proper for the underdogs, and France couldn’t fairly consider it. Nevertheless, Softfootball precisely predicted a draw within the pre-match evaluation however bought the scoreline flawed. Regardless of believing the sport could be shut, Softfootball couldn’t have predicted the insanity that passed off within the sport.
The hosts shocked everybody by taking a 1-0 lead simply earlier than halftime. Captain Victor Pálsson bundled the ball in from shut vary within the thirty ninth minute after chaos adopted a free-kick from Albert Guðmundsson. France’s protection froze for a second, Saliba’s clearance was poor, and Pálsson reacted faster than anybody else to poke it dwelling.
With out Kylian Mbappé, who scored and assisted within the 3-nil win over Azerbaijan, and with Didier Deschamps attempting out a combined lineup, France regarded flat in that first half. Christopher Nkunku had a few half-chances, one straight at goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson, whereas Michael Olise’s free-kick virtually slipped by way of the keeper’s arms however not fairly. Even Koundé and Lucas Digne tried their luck, however Iceland held agency. One huge second got here when Mikael Egill Ellertsson cleared Mateta’s rebound proper off the road.
France got here out stronger after the break, although. Nkunku lastly bought them degree within the 63rd minute with a cool, curling end into the far nook after chopping inside. 5 minutes later, Maghnes Akliouche sprinted down the proper, whipped in a low cross, and Jean-Philippe Mateta tapped in for his first worldwide purpose on his first-ever begin.
However Iceland didn’t crumble. Barely two minutes later, they hit again. Kristian Hlynsson raced by way of on a counter and slotted previous Maignan to make it 2-2, and the group went completely wild. From there, it was end-to-end stuff.
France piled on the strain however wasted possibilities. Khéphren Thuram missed a sitter, and there was a scare late on when Maignan slipped, virtually gifting Brynjólfur Willumsson a winner. France had almost 70% possession and 20 photographs however someway couldn’t end it off.
France are undoubtedly not proud of the end result and bullishly posted on their X deal with that they are going to be again to complete what they began in November and safe World Cup qualification.
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Ólafsson was immense in purpose six huge saves, possibly the very best sport of his profession thus far. Iceland held their form, defended deep, and simply refused to present in.
The end result retains France prime of Group D with 10 factors, nonetheless unbeaten however now feeling the warmth from Ukraine. Iceland, in the meantime, seize their second level in three matches and transfer as much as third, with 4 factors. Not unhealthy for an evening’s work towards one of many world’s finest sides.
