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France emphatically beat Euro underdogs,Iceland to reach the semi
finals of the Euro 2016 with an amazing scoreline 5-2. The victory
this morning saw goals from Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, Athletico
Madrid's Antoine Griezman, Juventus' Paul Pogba, and Dimitri Payet.
Giroud scored a brace in the match that was played at Stade de
France.
The win ended Icelands fairytale dreams of winning the
competition. Iceland had previously cleared off England in the last 16
with a scoreline of 2-1. Which came as a pleasant surprise to its
population of 330,000 residents. But the resilence lceland displayed
against England proved futile against France as they were clearly
outplayed by a star-studed and cordinated French team.
At the half time mark, Iceland were 4-0 down and despite much
rallying around with goals from Sigthorsson and Bjarnasson(towards the
end), the damage was already done. France has not gone beyond the
quaterfinals in this competition since they won the tournament 16
years ago in 2000. And they cruised home easily and happily, stamping
down their win with another goal from Giroud to make it five.
Despite the fact that coming into the game, Iceland had been
praised as a team with the most organised and rugged defence which was
used as a very effective weapon against England, that all went down
memory within 20 minutes of the game. France seemed to pieces their
opponents defence with just the most basic schemes in football. The
first goal came after 12 minutes of gameplay, with Giroud latching on
to a long ball and driving home low, far beyond the reach of Iceland
goalkeeper, Hannes Haldorsson. Giroud went on to score a second goal
and setup another.
Juventus playmaker, Pogba headed in the second goal of the
morning after making a hit at Antoine Griezman's right winged corner.
It was his first goal of the European Championship.
Before the break, Payet and Griezmand added the third and fourth
goals for France before the end of 45 minutes. Griezman latched onto a
through pass from Giroud tipping up the ball over the head of the
advancing iceland goalie.
Sigurdsson who netted in Iceland's winner against England, scored
for Iceland after the first half break at 56 minutes.
But France proved they were still the 'favourites' when Striker
Giroud brought them back increasing their lead by four goals once
again. He scored after beating Hannels to a Payet freekick. He was
withdrawn immediately, having been booked once in the match.
At 84 minutes, Iceland had another goal for pride with a powerful
header from Bjarnason.
Didier Deschamps' men will now face a semi final showdown with
Germany in Marseille on thursday as both giants of European football
go on a "horn-fight" to get to the finals.
The coach said: "Germany remains the best team and the world
champions, no doubt about that. Even if Italy gave them a few scares.
But we are their in the final four".
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