EURO 2016 Preview: France v Iceland
Date: Sunday 3 July, 2016
Time: 20:00 GMT
Location: Stade de France, Paris
Coverage: ITV - 19:15 GMT
After three intriguing quarter-final ties and two penalty shootouts, the fourth and final last eight tie appears to be far more predictable ahead of kick-off.
Nevertheless, few predicted that Iceland would advance beyond the group stages of Euro 2016, and less still would have envisaged Lars Lagerbäck and Heimir Hallgrímsson leading the tournament debutants to victory over England in the last 16.
That victory has setup a dream quarter-final tie for the Icelanders, in which they will face host nation and pre-tournament favourites France.
As clear favourites, Didier Deschamps’ men are chasing the monumental prize of a semi-final against world champions Germany, yet the majority feel that the French have been placed in a ‘no-win’ situation; they simply have to defeat minnows Iceland, and that victory has to come with relative ease.
Team News
France:
The hosts have been blighted by the suspensions of key men Adil Rami and N'Golo Kanté.
After receiving caps at every youth level from U17s to U21s, the talented 22 year-old Samuel Umtiti looks set to replace Rami for what would be his first international appearance with the French first team.
With Barcelona’s new star an obvious replacement for the Milan defender, Deschamps will have more of a decision to make when selecting the man to replace Kanté in midfield.
Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko has been a regular late substitute for Les Bleus throughout the competition, whilst Yohan Cabaye and Kingsley Coman have been in and out of the starting line-up.
Coman’s selection would represent an attacking move by the French boss, whereas Cabaye or Sissoko would suggest a more cautious approach to the fixture.
Iceland:
No such problems exist for Lagerbäck and Hallgrímsson, as Iceland travel to Paris with no apparent injury worries and no suspensions ahead of the biggest fixture in the nation’s history.
Expect Iceland’s joint Head coaches to select the same eleven for the fifth successive match at these Championships.
Key men
France:
The hosts will continue to rely heavily on Antoine Griezmann. Having found the net on 32 occasions during the 2015/16 season, the Atlético Madrid forward was dropped after a disappointing performance against Romania in the tournament’s opener fixture.
However, due in no small part to the demands of the French public, Griezmann soon found his way back into the side, and his two goals were crucial in their 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the round of 16.
Antoine Griezmann could be key to French success in Paris.
France’s other in-form player ahead of the Championships was West Ham star Dimitri Payet, and the winger lit up the tournament with a late goal against both Romania and Albania in his team’s opening two fixtures.
With Kanté suspended, the industrious Blaise Matuidi could be given the vital role of shielding a vulnerable back four, while goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will need to maintain his concentration during the long periods where he may see little of the ball.
Iceland:
Competing at their very first major international tournament, Iceland have reached the quarter-final stage because of the willingness that each and every one of their players has to work for each other and for the team.
Nevertheless, where few stand out as ‘star’ names in the Icelandic side, the experience and knowhow that the likes of Gylfi Sigurðsson, Ragnar Sigurðsson and Kolbeinn Sigþórsson have brought to the team has been invaluable to the nation’s success.
Swansea’ G. Sigurðsson adds quality to a determined midfielder, defender R. Sigurðsson has led superbly from the back – and also chipped in with the equaliser against England – and Sigþórsson has led the line tirelessly alongside Jón Böðvarsson throughout the competition.
Head-to-head
- France have never been beaten by Iceland, winning eight encounters and drawing three.
- The two teams have only faced each other once this century, with the hosts coming back from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2 in Valenciennes back in May 2012.
- Iceland have only been beaten once in their previous ten competitive fixtures, with five wins and four draws.
- France have not been beaten in the last 16 matches at an international tournament that they have hosted
- Both teams have scored at least once in each Euro 2016 fixture they have played.
Prediction
France 2-1 Iceland
Aron Gunnarsson will lead out his Iceland team for their biggest ever match.
