France Overcomes Early Setback to Beat Iceland 2-1 in World Cup Qualifier
France defeated Iceland 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup qualifier, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a crucial penalty and Bradley Barcola sealing the win.
France's display was largely unconvincing, but it was enough to secure two wins from their opening two World Cup qualifiers...
France secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Iceland in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, despite facing significant challenges. Iceland's resolute defense initially thwarted France's attempts to score, with the visitors' defense-first policy proving effective given their dismal past record against Les Bleus. However, France's persistence paid off, and they managed to break down Iceland's defense.
Iceland stunned France by scoring the opening goal through Andri Gudjohnsen, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. France responded strongly, with Mikael Anderson's foul on Marcus Thuram resulting in a penalty, which Kylian Mbappé confidently converted, leveling the score at 1-1 heading into halftime. The momentum shifted further in France's favor when Aurélien Tchouaméni was given a straight red card for a studs-up challenge.
Despite being reduced to ten men, France took the lead through Bradley Barcola, who tapped home a pass from Mbappé after a well-executed move. This goal showcased France's skill and determination, ultimately securing their 2-1 victory.
The Inter Milan forward had a golden chance to break the deadlock but headed the ball over the bar from Kylian Mbappe's precise cross, leaving the Parc des Princes crowd in suspense.
In a stunning turn of events, Iceland took the lead after Michael Olise inexplicably played a blind pass across his own penalty area. Andri Gudjohnsen seized the opportunity, ruthlessly punishing the error with a clinical first-time finish using the outside of his right foot.
As France poured forward in search of an equalizer, goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson made two breathtaking saves in quick succession. Thuram and Manu Kone's shots were denied after Aurelien Tchouameni delivered a delightful ball into the box, showcasing Olafsson's exceptional goalkeeping skills.
Iceland's hopes of reaching halftime with their lead intact were dashed when Mikael Anderson was penalized for treading on Marcus Thuram's heel in the box. Kylian Mbappé confidently converted the resulting spot-kick, leveling the score at 1-1 heading into halftime stoppage time. The penalty not only tied the game but also marked a significant milestone for Mbappé, moving him to 52 goals and taking outright second place in France's all-time top goalscorer list.
Michael Olise's stinging effort hit the bar, coming agonizingly close to scoring France's second goal. This moment of brilliance showcased Olise's skill and precision on the field. Despite his earlier mistake that led to Iceland's opening goal, Olise redeemed himself with his impressive shot.
The game took a dramatic turn when Bradley Barcola scored France's second goal. Kylian Mbappé's excellent play enabled Barcola to tap the ball home from close range, securing France's lead. Mbappé's speed and agility allowed him to take Aurélien Tchouaméni's long ball into his stride, setting up the scoring opportunity.
Tchouaméni's studs-up challenge on Jon Dagur Þorsteinsson resulted in a straight red card, forcing France to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite this setback, France managed to hold onto their lead, showcasing their determination and defensive prowess.
France continued to push forward, with Kylian Mbappé firing a shot over the bar from distance. Despite being a man down, France's determination to secure the win remained unwavering. Iceland, however, posed a threat of launching a counterattack, keeping France's defense on high alert.
Iceland's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson rose highest in the box to meet Victor Palsson's corner, heading the ball just wide of the near post. This close call highlighted Iceland's resilience and ability to create scoring opportunities despite being down 2-1.
Manu Kone had a chance to seal the win for France but slipped just as he was about to take aim from the edge of the box. This missed opportunity could have put the result beyond doubt, but France managed to hold on for the win despite the setback.
Despite France's 2-1 win, Iceland continued to pose a threat and were denied a late equalizer when Andri Gudjohnsen was penalized for a foul on Ibrahima Konaté. Gudjohnsen's bundling attempt to score was halted by the referee's decision, preserving France's lead and securing their victory.
France's display was largely unconvincing, but it was enough to secure two wins from their opening two World Cup qualifiers. With this victory, France moved three points clear of Iceland at the top of Group D, solidifying their position in the standings.
Despite the loss, Iceland can take significant confidence from their display against France. This performance could be a valuable stepping stone as they target their second-ever appearance at the World Cup finals, showcasing their determination and potential for future success.
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