Hosts France flexed their muscles in impressive style on Sunday night, giving the neutrals favourites Iceland a good old spanking in Paris. The result also made England’s exit at the hands of the Icelandic side look all the more dismal.
Didier Deschamps gave a debut to centre-half Samuel Umtiti, who replaced the suspended Adil Rami, while Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko came in for N’Golo Kanté.
The French dominated from the start, with Olivier Giroud latching onto a Blaise Matuidi through-ball on 12 minutes, before rifling home.
Paul Pogba, playing in a more defensive role, powerfully headed in from a corner to make it 2-0 on 19 minutes as Iceland struggled to deal with their hosts’ power and movement.
Two more French goals followed just before the break, with Dimitri Payet netting before Antoine Griezmann dinked over Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson after a clever Giroud assist.
After the break, Iceland, to their credit, rallied with Kolbeinn Sigthorsson netting at the near post from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s cross.
However, just three minutes later, Giroud rose to head home his second of the game.
Iceland still refused to give up, with Birkir Bjarnason making it 5-2. However, that would be the last goal of the game.
The French now face world champions Germany in what should be a classic heavyweight clash. As for Iceland, their incredible campaign will live long in the memory.
Highlights…
(Highlights: Footytube)