Iceland produced the shock of the tournament so far, drawing 1-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Saint-Etienne.
Straight after Hungary shocked Austria in the opening match of group F, Iceland looked to create an upset of their own with two attempts on goal in the first five minutes. However, from there the Portuguese firmly took control of the contest, dominating possession and firmly keeping their opposition penned inside their own half.
The breakthrough finally came for Portugal in the 31st minute, after Andre Gomes cut through the Icelandic defence by exchanging passes with Vieirinha on the right. The Valencia midfielder’s low cross was met at the near post by Nani, who steered the ball past goalkeeper Hannes Halldorson and into the net.
However, the Portuguese failed to extend their advantage before the break, and it took just five second-half minutes for Iceland to draw level. Birkir Bjarnason found himself completely unmarked at the back post and was duly picked out by Johann Gudmundsson’s cross for an emphatic finish. Portugal could not find a second goal and Iceland would hold on for a point in their first appearance at a major international tournament.
Profligate Portugal
Looking at the stats, it will definitely be a case of dropped points for Portugal in Saint-Etienne. Fernando Santos’ side should have hit the front in the 21st minute through Nani, as the forward rose well to Ronaldo’s cross at the back post. Halldorson was in the right place to make a brilliant save with his foot, but with so much of the goal open Nani would have been disappointed not to find the net.
Even Portugal’s star man, Cristiano Ronaldo, could not find the back of the net. Questions will certainly be raised about the Real Madrid forward’s performance after squandering two chances that most high-level strikers would have finished.
In the 26th minute, a ball over the top put Ronaldo one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the Portuguese captain miscued his volley completely. It would not be until the final minutes that another high-quality chance presented itself to Ronaldo, but once again he could not make it count, directing his header straight at the keeper from the back post.
Ronaldo was presented with a final chance at redemption in stoppage time with a free-kick in a dangerous area, but the wall did its job and sent Portugal away with a disappointing draw, despite outshooting their opponents 26-4.
Iceland here to play
Despite having a population thirty times smaller than their opposition, Iceland showed they had what it takes to compete with Portugal on the pitch. After a difficult first half in which their defence was repeatedly cut open by their opposition, the Nordic side regrouped brilliantly in the second period.
Birkir Bjarnason took advantage of some lazy defending to put his side back on level terms, but it was truly a team effort to then keep the Portuguese at bay. The Iberians were thoroughly restricted of clear chances in the second period, outside of a single header that Ronaldo failed to convert.
With a point under their belt against the group favourites, Iceland can take on fellow surprise packets Hungary in their second match without fear.
Portugal fail to make a statement
With all 24 teams having taken the field now, the list of contenders for the trophy has been drawn up, and Portugal are not on it. Much like England did against Russia, Fernando Santos’ side have shown that you have to capitalise on your dominance, or you can be punished. There are plenty of positives to be taken from the Portuguese performance, but whether they have the touch of champions remains to be seen.
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