Iceland 2-1 Austria: EURO 2016 Group F Report

Iceland secured their passage into the last-16 of UEFA EURO 2016 with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Austria at the Stade de France in Group F of the tournament.

Jon Bodvarsson’s 18th minute goal was cancelled out by an Alessandro Schopf equaliser, in a game where Austria also missed a penalty through Alexsander Dragovic.

In stoppage time, substitute Arnor Ingvi Traustason earned his country all three-points when he netted from inside the box.

Dynamo Kiev’s Dragovic missed a crucial spot-kick for eliminated Austria – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Iceland’s joint managers Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson again named an unchanged starting eleven for a third successive group game.

Meanwhile, Austria manager Marcel Koller reinstated Dragovic back into the line-up following suspension against Portugal.

It took just two minutes for Iceland to create their inaugural chance, when Johann Gudmundsson tried his luck with his left-foot from 25-yards, his dipping effort crashed off upright.

Up the other end, keeper Hannes Halldorsson was dispossessed by Marko Arnautovic – though the Stoke City man failed to capitalise.

Iceland took the lead after 18 minutes courtesy of Bodvarsson, who connected with Kari Arnason’s flick on from Aron Gunnarson’s throw-in to take a composed touch, and steer the ball beyond a static Robert Almer.

With ten minutes to play until the interval, Austria missed a penalty when Arl Skulason was adjudged to foul David Alaba. Up stepped Dragovic. His long run-up concluded in the ball clipping the woodwork.

As play resumed for second half, Birkir Bjarnason managed to turn and shoot over the bar from another long-throw from Gunnarson.

Minutes later; the Iceland goal became under threat, but Arnason was in position to thwart Alaba’s goal-bound drive with a crucial outstretched leg.

On the hour, Austria found the goal they had craved through substitute Schopf – the 22-year-old midfielder embarked on a run into the area following Alaba’s pass, to ride Arnason’s challenge and arrow the ball into the bottom right corner.

Swansea City ace Sigurdsson has inspired minnows Iceland to advance to the knockout stages of EURO 2016 – Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Almer was then equal to beat away Gylfi Sigurdsson’s powerful effort from just outside the penalty area five minutes later.

His opposite number was called into action twice, Halldorsson denied scorer Schopf from point blank range, prior to tipping over Alaba’s free-kick.

After relentless pressure on their goal, Traustason was the hero in the 94th minute, bundling home the decisive goal after a swift attacking breakaway, after being played in by Teddy Bjarnason.

Man of the Match: Kari Arnason (Iceland)

Arnason, a name recognisable to lower league supporters of English Clubs; having spent time at Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United in the past, the defender certainly showed he has international pedigree for the smallest nation to reach a European Championship Finals.

Arnason was there for his countrymen at both ends of the pitch at the Stade de France, assisting the opener, and looking cool and composed at the back – his challenge to prevent Alaba’s goal was worth of the man of the match award and showed the fight and never say die attitude the Icelandic team have shown in this European Championship Group stage.

What’s Next?

Iceland’s maiden tournament will continue into the knockout stages. They will play England on Monday at the Allianz Riviera in Nice for a quarter-final place. However, Austria head home.