Iceland vs France Match Report: Late Drama as France Held 2-2 in Reykjavik
France’s unbeaten run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers came to a halt in Reykjavik as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland. Despite taking a second-half lead, Didier Deschamps’ side were pegged back by a resilient Icelandic team in a game that kept fans on edge until the final whistle.
With Kylian Mbappé missing out due to injury, France struggled to find their usual rhythm in attack. While they dominated possession and chances, defensive lapses cost them what looked like a certain victory.
First Half: Iceland Break Through Against the Odds
The first half saw France control the ball and dictate the tempo, but Iceland’s compact defence frustrated their efforts to create clear openings.
The deadlock was broken in the 39th minute when Iceland capitalised on a rare defensive mistake. A failed clearance from a corner allowed Víctor Pálsson to react quickest, poking the ball past the French goalkeeper to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Despite France’s attempts to respond through Christopher Nkunku and Kingsley Coman, Iceland managed to hold firm until halftime, taking a shock lead into the break.
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Second Half: France Rally but Lose Grip Late On
France emerged from the interval with renewed energy and immediately pressed for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute, when Christopher Nkunku found space inside the box and fired home to make it 1-1.
Only five minutes later, debutant Jean-Philippe Mateta marked his first international start with a crucial goal. The striker finished a low cross from Maghnes Akliouche to put France ahead 2-1, completing a quick turnaround.
However, the joy was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Iceland struck back when Kristian Hlynsson latched onto a through ball and slotted past the French keeper to level the score at 2-2.
The hosts showed great composure under pressure, while France, despite registering nearly 20 shots compared to Iceland’s four, could not find a winner.
Tactical Overview
Deschamps’ decision to start with a youthful attacking lineup showed both promise and inexperience. Without Mbappé’s pace and presence, France relied heavily on Nkunku’s creativity and Mateta’s positioning.
Iceland’s defensive setup was disciplined and compact, forcing France into wide areas. Their counter-attacking plan paid off, as both goals came from quick transitions that exploited gaps in France’s backline.
While France controlled possession, they lacked sharpness in the final third and paid the price for momentary lapses in concentration.
Post-Match Reactions
Didier Deschamps expressed frustration after the match, noting that his team “did the hard part by turning the game around” but failed to manage the final minutes effectively.
Iceland’s coach praised his side’s resilience, highlighting how the players stayed focused and capitalised on France’s defensive errors. The result was celebrated as a symbolic victory for a team still growing in confidence on the international stage.
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What This Result Means
The draw means France’s perfect record in the qualifiers is now over. They remain top of Group D, but their lead has narrowed ahead of a crucial match against Ukraine.
For Iceland, the point represents a major boost in morale and a reminder that they can still challenge Europe’s biggest teams when playing with discipline and determination.
This result also shows that even the strongest squads can falter under pressure and that every game in World Cup qualifying counts.
France’s 2-2 draw against Iceland will be remembered as a missed opportunity for the world champions, who looked set to continue their winning streak before defensive lapses let them down.
For Iceland, it was a night of pride and perseverance, proving once again that even football’s giants can be tested on European soil. As the qualification campaign continues, both teams will look to build on this result in their upcoming fixtures.
FAQs
Q1. What was the final score between Iceland and France?
A. The match ended 2-2 after a dramatic comeback and equaliser from Iceland.
Q2. Who scored for France?
A. Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta scored for France.
Q3. Who were the scorers for Iceland?
A. Víctor Pálsson and Kristian Hlynsson were the scorers for Iceland.
Q4. Did Kylian Mbappé play in the match?
A. No, Mbappé missed the game due to an ankle injury.
Q5. What’s next for France in the qualifiers?
A. France will face Ukraine next in a crucial match that could determine the group standings.
