UEFA Euro 2016, quarter-finals: France defeats Iceland 5-2

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

On Sunday, in the quarter-final match of UEFA Euro 2016, hosts France defeated Iceland 5–2. Antoine Griezmann scored his fourth goal of the tournament and France is to face Germany in the semi-final.

File photo of Olivier Giroud, who was awarded the Man of the Match award.
Image: joshjdss.

France had greater ball possession and passing accuracy. Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored the first goal of the match in the 12th minute from Blaise Matuidi's pass. Within ten minutes, midfielder Paul Pogba doubled their lead, scoring a header from Griezmann's cross. A couple of minutes before half-time, Dimitri Payet scored the third goal. Before the referee brought the first half to an end, Griezmann chipped the ball over the keeper, netting the fourth goal of the match, and his fourth of the tournament. The first half ended 4–0.

In the second half, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson scored a goal for Iceland. But, Giroud restored the four-goal lead three minutes later, scoring a header from Payet's assist. Birkir Bjarnason scored a consolation goal from header for Iceland in the 84th minute. The match ended 5–2 and Giroud was awarded the Man of The Match award.

After the match, Iceland forward Alfreð Finnbogason said, "A bitter end to a fantastic tournament for us but of course the game was lost in the first half. [...] We really put Iceland on the footballing map. We have been getting messages from all over the world about how people are proud of us and that they really love the fighting spirit that we showed. So we can really go happy and proud from this tournament."

Giroud and Payet have each scored three goals in the tournament and they are behind Griezmann for the Golden Boot trophy.


21:00 July 3, 2016 (UTC+2)
France 5–2 Iceland Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Referee: Björn Kuipers, Netherlands
Olivier Giroud Scored after 12', 59 minutes 12', 59'
Paul Pogba Scored after 19' or 20 minutes 19' or 20'
Dimitri Payet Scored after 43 minutes 43'
Antoine Griezmann Scored after 45 minutes 45'
Samuel Umtiti Booked after 75 minutes 75'
4–0 (HT) Kolbeinn Sigþórsson Scored after 56 minutes 56'
Birkir Bjarnason Scored after 84 minutes 84' Booked after 58 minutes 58'

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