Euro 2016: Portugal 1-1 Iceland: Birkir Bjarnason strikes to secure valuable point
Birkir Bjarnason scored Iceland’s first ever tournament goal as Heimir Hallgrimsson and Lars Lagerback’s men fought back to a 1-1 draw with Portugal in Saint-Etienne.
Luis Nani had opened the scoring in a dominating performance from the favourites, but a defensive mishap allowed Iceland back into the game, and they held on valiantly to claim a point from the hardest game in Group F.
It took over half-an-hour for Nani to grab the opener, but Portugal will rightfully feel they should have been much further ahead by that point – although it was Gylfi Sigurdsson who came closest to breaking the deadlock.
Finding space in the inside-left channel, he hit a powerful drive towards the near post, although Rui Patricio dealt with the shot, before claiming the rebound which Sigurdsson failed to direct into the back of the net.
Following that chance for the tournament debutants, Portugal dominated the half; Andre Gomes and Joao Mario were heavily involved in much of the attacking play.
Vieirinha had their first real attempt, smashing a strong shot at goal from 25 yards which goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson did well to punch away.
Halldorsson was Iceland’s most involved player in the half, following up that punch with a series of impressive catches from Portugal crosses.
He then made one of the saves of the tournament, to keep the score level.
Cristiano Ronaldo showed his first real glimpse, making space for himself on the left wing and sending the ball into the box. It was perfectly weighted for Nani to head home, but Halldorsson came flying across his goal to deflect the ball with his foot.
However, the keeper could not hold his own for much longer, and Nani soon beat him with a sidefooted finish from Gomes’ well worked cross.
Portugal continued to apply the pressure, Ronaldo going closest to grab the second, but Iceland’s back-line held firm, entering the dressing room at half-time in need of some severe changes.
And although Iceland started the second half in the same manner they ended the first, it was they who got the all-important next goal.
A counter attack saw Birkir Bjarnason lashing home a Savarsson cross from close range, having been given all the time in the world to set himself up thanks to some woefully poor defending from Vieirinha.
The goal brought a renewed vigour to Portugal, although they struggled to break through a sold defence.
Ronaldo and Nani each had two opportunites to retake the lead, although Iceland looked dangerous on the counter without ever really threatening the goal.
Portugal pushed for the next goal, introducing Renato Sanches and Ricardo Quaresma from the bench, whilst Alfred Finnbogason came on as Iceland themselves continued to attack when presented the opportunity.
And Finnbogason was so close to bagging a winner, forcing a fine stop from Patricio with a powerful left footed shot from inside the area.
Ronaldo had the last opportunities for Portugal, but two successive free-kicks hit the wall, and following the latter the referee blew the whistle to great cheers from the Iceland players.
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