Stade de France, Saint-Denis
2016 European Championship
Quarterfinals
The last quarterfinal match of the 2016 European Championship saw France end Iceland’s heroic run for the Euro title. The quality on the French team was too much for Iceland to overcome.
France 5-2 Iceland
Olivier Giroud 12’ 59’ Kolbeinn Sigþórsson 56’
Paul Pogba 20’ Birkir Bjarnason 84’
Dimitri Payet 43’
Antoine Griezmann 45’
It was France’s match to lose. Iceland was participating in their first ever European Championship. France had had several experiences and are amongst the few teams that have ever won the title. And as the host nation, they were strong favorites coming to the match.
It was a match of one team that was supposed to be there, and another that wasn’t. Iceland had no business to be competing at this stage of any major competition. At least that is what football experts around the would have said before the start of the 2016 Euro.
France won by a convincing 5-2 scoreline. Olivier Giroud’s early strike in the 12th minute set the tone for the match. At the half, France was up by 4 goals.
It wasn’t too much what Iceland did wrong, but more of what France did right. Iceland would be proud of their performance in the competition, and in this match. Despite being a massive underdog, their efforts were respectable.
Antoine Griezmann’s late goal in the first half made allows him to become the top scorer in the competition and leads the race for the ‘Golden Boot’.
After the restart, Iceland was first to score. Kolbeinn Sigþórsson’s 56th minute meant Iceland scored in every match they played in the 2016 European Championship.
Olivier Giroud restored the lead back to four goals just 3 minutes later. But Iceland had the last goal of the match.
It was fitting end for the team to leave the competition with a goal.
“We are very proud. It’s been a fantastic tournament and something special for a small team.” #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/zg43qL33uH
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 3, 2016
France are in their fifth EURO semi-final. Will they go all the way?#EURO2016 #FRA pic.twitter.com/SVik0f566N
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 3, 2016
⚽ CENTURY ⚽
Griezmann’s classy finish was the 100th goal at #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/71WVeIx1rk— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 3, 2016
France moves to the semifinals to face Germany. The last two occasions that France hosted a football tournament, they won it. Germany, on the other hand, has not loss to a host nation since 1966, and that was in a final.
Things are steaming up!
