Date: 14th June 2016 at 9:16pm
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Portugal’s Euro 2016 campaign got off to a disappointing start as they played out a 1-1 draw with Iceland in Saint-Etienne.

Former Manchester United forward Nani opened the scoring for Portugal, finishing well in the first half, but poor defending allowed Birkir Bjarnason to equalise in the second half for Iceland.

Portugal started with Nani and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, while Swansea City star Gylfi Sigurdsson was named in the line-up for Iceland, who were making their debut at a major tournament.

And it was the Swans midfielder who had the first real opportunity in the match in the fourth minute. He was played in down the left-hand side, before cutting in on his right and trying to beat Rui Patricio at his near post, but the Portuguese stopper saved well.

Portugal didn’t have a chance of their own until the 17th minute, when right-back Vierinha cut in on his left foot and unleashed a 25-yard shot, which goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson gathered at the second attempt.

Ronaldo had been relatively quiet in the first 20 minutes but he suddenly sprung into life on the left-hand side, cutting back onto his right foot before sending in an inviting cross for Nani, who could only direct his header straight at the feet of Halldorsson.

The Real Madrid forward, who has scored 58 goals for his country, then had a chance of his own, but he could only head Joao Moutinho’s cross narrowly over the bar.

And then it was Ronaldo’s touch that let him down in the area in the 24th minute, as he failed to make contact with Pepe’s delightful 40-yard pass.

But Portugal did have the lead just after the half-hour mark, with Andre Gomes crossing for Nani, who swept the ball low past Halldorsson as Fernando Santos’ men went in at the break with a 1-0 advantage.

Five minutes after the interval however, Iceland netted their first ever goal at a major tournament, and it was down to some poor defending from Portugal.

14 June 2016 - UEFA EURO 2016 - Group F - Portugal v Iceland - Birkir Bjarnason of Iceland celebrates scoring a goal 1-1 - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Birkir Bjarnason celebrates after scoring Iceland’s equaliser. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

In a rare attack, Charlton Athletic winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson crossed to the back post, where Bjarnason, who had got away from Vierinha, found himself all alone to finish low past Patricio.

On the hour-mark, Portugal looked to hit back through Gomes, who twisted and turned on the edge of the area before sending in a curling effort that Halldorsson pushed around the post.

Nani then went close to giving Portugal the lead again for the second time in the match, but his flicked header from Raphael Guerreiro’s free-kick went inches wide of the far post.

Seven minutes from time, Pepe went close with a header that landed on the roof of the net, before Ronaldo had an even better opportunity, but he could only send a free header from six yards straight at Halldorsson.

Substitute Alfred Finnbogason still had a chance to give his nation an incredible win, but his powerful shot from the edge of the area straight at Patricio. Still, this was history for Iceland in a group that looks to be wide open.

Man of the Match: Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland)

The Cardiff City midfielder, and Iceland captain, was everywhere in the middle of the park making a number of challenges and keeping calm in possession. This was history for his nation as they picked up their first point in their first ever major tournament, and he led by example from the first minute until the last.

What’s Next? Portugal come up against Austria, who were beaten 2-0 by Hungary in their opening match, in Paris on Saturday night, while Iceland will look to pick up their first points of the tournament against the Hungarians, who can qualify for the last-16 with victory, in Nice earlier that evening.

 
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