Iceland hold Portugal on stunning debut

Iceland created the first chance on the 4th minute when Sigurdsson broke away on a great-counter attack down the left wing. The Swansea attacking midfielder unleashed a thumping shot which was saved by Patricio.

After the first five minutes, Portugal controlled possession and were close to score their first goal on the 20th minute when Ronaldo’s cross found Nani in great position who saw his header being saved by Halldorson.

Portugal kept on building pressure with Ronaldo being a constant threat for the Iceland defence. On the 23rd minute, the Real Madrid starman went past Ragnar Sigurdsson and Arnason before sending a header towards the top left-hand corner of the net that missed its intended target.

Portugal efforts paid off on the 32nd minute when Vieirinha and Gomes linked up wonderfully well just outside of the penalty area on the right wing to take Skulason out of the game, and the latter then chipped a great low cross towards the near post where it found Nani. The Fenerbache player kept calm and tapped a first time shot past the Iceland goalkeeper.

After the goal, Portugal maintained their dominance throughout the rest of the half and dominated their opponents who only managed to test Patricio twice.

As soon as the second half started, Ronaldo almost made it 2-0 when his thumping half-volley ended up bouncing centimeters wide of the far post.

When Portugal seemed so close to find the net again, Iceland shocked them by scoring the equalising goal against all odds. Gudmundsson charged down the right wing and went inside before firing a deep cross over to the far post. Pepe and Vieirinha completely lost Bjarnason, who kept his cool in front of goal before slotting a half-volleyed shot past Patricio and into the back of the net to make it 1-1. This was Iceland’s first goal at a major tournament.

Portugal continued their pursuit for the goal which would have given them the 3 points. They were close on the 61st minute when Gomes twisted and turned on the edge of the Iceland penalty area before getting a shot away which was tipped round the near post.

Nani was very close to put Portugal upfront once more on the 72nd minute when Guerreiro curled a free kick into the middle of the box where it found the 29 year old, but his flicked header ended up bouncing of the far post.

On the 83rd minute, Pepe had a good opportunity for Portugal after Quaresma curled a cross that found the centre-back at the near post, but his close-range effort ended up flying over the top of the crossbar. This was followed by another chance created by Portugal when Ronaldo received from Nani. However, he sent his header straight at Halldorsson.

With the clock ticking, Portugal tried to break through Iceland defence, but the island nation held on to gain an important point which will boost their morale in trying to make it to the last sixteen.

Iceland line-up (4-4-2): Halldorsson; Saevarsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Arnason, Skulason; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Birkir Bjarnason; Bodvarsson, Sigthorsson

Portugal line-up (4-1-2-1-2): Patricio; Vieirinha, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Guerreiro; Danilo; Mario, Gomes; Moutinho; Nani, Ronaldo.

Yellow cards

Bjarnason (Iceland), Finnbogason (Iceland).

Referee

Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)