gol de Pálsson contra a frança – Foto: SporTV
Iceland vs. France, valid for the fourth round of Group D in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, is taking place at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium in Reykjavik. At 38 minutes of the first half, right-back Pálsson scored the match’s goal, capitalizing on a scramble in the box, putting the Icelanders ahead 1-0. France, without attackers Mbappé and Dembélé, is pressing for a win to secure early qualification, also depending on Ukraine’s result against Azerbaijan. The match remains ongoing, with the French circulating the ball to find an equalizer.
The game started with French dominance, but Iceland’s defense holds firm. Goalkeeper Ólafsson stands out with crucial saves. The absence of key players in France alters their attacking dynamics, forcing tactical adjustments.
Key moments up to 42 minutes:
- 1′: Ball rolling; France attacks on the left with Nkunku, but the cross is blocked by Iceland’s defense.
- 2′: French corner; ball falls to Nkunku in the box, and Ólafsson makes a spectacular save.
- 16′: Digne fouled and shoots from midfield; the ball goes over Ólafsson’s goal.
- 25′: Iceland’s Gudmundsson shoots over after receiving a free ball, but offside is called.
- 38′: Iceland’s goal! Pálsson pushes the ball into the net after a scramble in the French box.
French pressure in midfield
France has controlled possession since the opening whistle, with precise passing in the midfield. Camavinga and Koné organize plays, but Iceland’s tight defense limits breakthroughs. At 6 minutes, the French exchanged passes without effectively advancing against the hosts’ compact marking.
At 32 minutes, Deschamps’ team circulated the ball through the center, testing the opponent’s defensive patience. However, fouls by Mateta and Saliba disrupted the rhythm, favoring Iceland. The 1-0 score reflects Iceland’s efficiency in sporadic counterattacks.
Ólafsson’s decisive saves
Iceland’s goalkeeper Ólafsson intervened at key moments to maintain the lead. At 2 minutes, he saved a close-range shot from Nkunku after a corner. Three minutes later, at 35, he came off his line to clear a free-kick from Olise, avoiding greater danger.
The goalkeeper’s performance complements the solid defending from Grétarsson and Ingason, who block crosses. At 14 minutes, Ólafsson caught a long-range shot from Koundé, showing confidence. This display boosts the home team’s morale in the first half.
This section highlights Iceland’s defensive strength, neutralizing French advances. France, averaging 4.3 shots per game in the qualifiers, struggles to convert chances. Ólafsson has two clear saves so far, contributing to the balance despite France’s technical superiority.
Absences impact French attack
Without Mbappé and Dembélé, France relies on Olise and Nkunku for creativity. At 23 minutes, Olise was dispossessed at the edge of the box, leading to a wasted corner. The lineup with Mateta as the forward seeks physicality but lacks speed in transitions.
Koné crossed at 12 minutes, and Mateta headed wide, illustrating offensive limitations. Deschamps opted for a conservative 4-3-3, prioritizing midfield with Camavinga. This strategy aims to press for a comeback, but Iceland capitalizes on errors, like Saliba’s foul at 36 minutes.
The match reflects the group’s dynamics: France with nine points, Iceland third with three. A French win would secure the lead, but the early goal complicates matters. Under Gunnlaugsson, Iceland bets on compactness to hold the result.
Group D overview
Group D is highly competitive in the qualifiers. France leads with nine points in three games, followed by Ukraine with four. Iceland has three, while Azerbaijan has one. A win today would guarantee France’s mathematical qualification if Ukraine stumbles.
Iceland seeks points at home to climb the table. France, the current World Cup runner-up, adjusts without its stars, testing squad depth. Laugardalsvöllur Stadium, with a capacity of 9,500, has moderate attendance.
Statistics show France averaging 1.3 yellow cards per game, against Iceland’s 0.7. Both teams use a 4-3-3, favoring midfield battles. The game continues with France pressing in the final minutes of the first half.
Detailed first-half timeline
At 4 minutes, Iceland attempted an attack but fouled Koné. Camavinga was also penalized for a midfield foul. At 7, Camavinga crossed, and Iceland’s defense cleared to a throw-in. At 11, the hosts circulated the ball near France’s box without shooting.
At 22 minutes, Olise was fouled by Grétarsson, leading to a missed chance. At 28, Mateta fouled Ingason in attack. At 33, a French corner followed a loose ball, with Nkunku fouled shortly after. At 34, another corner was cleared by the defense.
These moments illustrate tactical balance, with France creating more volume but Iceland efficient defensively. The first half advances with the score unchanged after Pálsson’s goal, and the match continues.
