90min
·18 July 2022
90min
·18 July 2022
Iceland became the first side to be eliminated from a Women's Euros despite not losing a game after being held to a 1-1 draw by France at the New York Stadium on Monday evening.
A Melvine Malard goal with less than a minute on the clock appeared to be enough to see France to victory, but a Dagny Brynjarsdottir penalty in second half stoppage time ended Les Bleus' 100% record at Euro 2022.
A spirited Iceland were left to rue their lack of cutting edge in the final third as they crashed out, with Belgium qualifying from Group D in second after their 1-0 victory over Italy.
Despite rotating the squad having already qualified for the quarter finals as group winners, France took the lead inside a minute. Malard kickstarted the move with a clever flick before combining with the driving Clara Mateo and finishing confidently.
Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir almost levelled for Iceland after clipping the bar from a corner, while Glódís Viggósdóttir prevented France from doubling their lead with a fine block to keep out Sandy Baltimore.
Sandy Baltimore and substitute Grace Greyoro both cracked the woodwork for France in the second half, and Malard was denied a second goal by VAR following a flowing French move.
Berglind Thorvaldsdottir came within a whisker of drawing Iceland level, doing wonderfully to work the opportunity for herself on the edge of the box with a terrific show of strength to hold off the French backline, before dragging narrowly wide.
Iceland's hopes of reaching the knockout stages appeared to have been put to bed for good on the stroke of half time as Greyoro turned home from close range, but VAR again intervened and the goal was disallowed for handball.
Brynjarsdottir hooked over from close range at the death and it looked as if Iceland's hopes had come to an end - only for Thorsteinn Halldorsson's side to be awarded a spot kick in the 10th minute of stoppage time for a foul on Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir. Brynjarsdottir dispatched emphatically, but it wasn't to be for Iceland as they crash out of Euro 2022 despite not losing a match.
GK: Sandra Sigurdardóttir - 6/10 - Palmed away a Cascarino effort in the second half - the biggest save she was called into all evening.RB: Guöny Amadöttir - 5/10 - Struggled to deal with the tricky, energetic Baltimore, with many of France's best opportunities coming down the Iceland right.CB: Glódís Viggósdóttir - 6/10 - Made a great first half block to keep out a goal bound Baltimore effort. Sprayed the play really nicely to Jonsdottir in the first half - a shame she was unable to utilise this pass more frequently given Iceland's strength out wide.CB: Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir - 5/10 - Didn't really know what to do with the intelligent movement of Malard.LB: Hallbera Gisladóttir - 6/10 - Caused problems with her corner deliveries. Had a good battle with Diani.CM: Dagny Brynjarsdottir - 8/10 - Lost the run of Mateo in the buildup to France's opener but otherwise was excellent. In the thick of the action, breaking up play effectively. An absolute barricade. Dispatched her penalty expertly.CM: Sara Bjork Gunnarsdéttir - 6/10 - Headed half a chance just over in the second half. Full of running, replaced after an hour.CM: Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir - 8/10 - Got stuck in and threw herself about. Tenacious, smart and full of energy. RW: Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir - 6/10 - Clipped the bar with a header from a corner early in the first half. Switched to the left flank on a number of occasions. As ever looked her side biggest threat. Replaced with half an hour remaining - had appeared to pick up a hamstring earlier minutes earlier.ST: Berglind Thorvaldsdottir - 6/10 - Missed a big chance on the stroke of half time, volleying over from close range after the ball unexpectedly worked its way to her at the back post. Flashed narrowly wide in the second after brilliantly working the opportunity herself.LW: Agla Maria Albertsdóttir - 5/10 - Switched to the right wing at times during the first half. Drew a good save from Peyraud-Magnin in the second half with an effort from the edge of the box. Her quietest performance of the tournament.SUB: Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir - 5/10SUB: Áslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdóttir - 5/10SUB: Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir - 5/10SUB: Amanda Andradóttir - 5/10SUB: Elín Metta Jensen - 5/10
France celebrate taking the lead / OLI SCARFF/GettyImages
GK: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin - 5/10 - Flapped unconvincingly from a corner to almost gift Iceland an equaliser - and tended to punch away deliveries as opposed to catch after that. Looked a real liability from set pieces.RB: Marion Torrent - 6/10 - Had a good battle up against the flurry of talented Icelandic wingers sent her way. CB: Aissatou Tounkara - 6/10 - Calm and composed, intercepted a number of half dangerous Iceland crosses to preserve a clean sheet.CB: Wendie Renard - 7/10 - Demonstrated her experience and intelligence to put her body between herself and Gunnarsdéttir in the first half to prevent the Iceland midfielder having an effort on goal. Very effective at dealing with the Iceland long throw with her aerial ability.LB: Selma Bacha - 7/10 - In for her first start of the tournament, looked to overlap at every given opportunity and did well to largely quell the usually potent wide threat of Iceland.CM: Charlotte Bilbault - 6/10 - Quietly effective, linked play well. Replaced at half time.CM: Sandie Toletti - 7/10 - Cool and composed on the ball, made France's fluid midfield tick.CM: Clara Mateo - 8/10 - In the thick of the action for France's opener, breaking through from midfield and sliding in Malard with a smart pass.RW: Kadidiatou Diani - 6/10 - Typically mesmerising feet, not quite as destructive as she has been in France's previous two games. Replaced at half time.ST: Melvine Malard - 9/10 - Started and finished the move from which France took the lead with a clever flick to combine well with Mateo and a composed finish. Dropped deep and linked play well, really staked her claim for a quarter final starting spot.LW: Sandy Baltimore - 8/10 - Put in a big shift at either end. Full of quality on the ball.