France has advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, eliminating crowd-favourites Iceland with a dominant 5-2 win.
The host nation’s place in the final four never looked in doubt as they took a two-goal lead within the first 20 minutes.
Late strikes in the 43rd and 45th minute would then secure a commanding 4-nil scoreline going into halftime.
Iceland would strike first in the second half, however, their glimmer of hope was short-lived, as Olivier Giroud sent home his second goal of the match just minutes later.
Final score:
France 5
Iceland 2
France will be looking to progress to the semi-finals of the Euro 2016 tournament, and ruin the dreams of Iceland in the process. Join The Roar from 5am (AEST) for live scores from the match and a blog of the game.
Host nation France will have all the pressure on them when they take on Iceland, a side that have proven to be a thorn in their side as of late.
Despite being unbeaten against Iceland in their past 11 games, France have only managed to win three, despite being the better side on paper.
Les Bleus will also have to play the quarter-final clash without N’Golo Kante and Adil Rai, both of whom are suspended. Should Laurent Koscielny or Olivier Giroud pick up yellows against Iceland, they will miss the semi-final against Germany – provided they get past Iceland.
After defeating England in the Round of 16, Iceland will enter the Stade de France motivated to slay another giant.
Iceland went 1-nil down just four minutes into the contest, however Ragnar Sigurdsson managed to find an equaliser right away. Then just over ten minutes later, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson put his side in front, as Iceland held on to claim the 2-1 win.
Iceland have now earned the respect of France coach Didier Deschamps, who claims that the side “aren’t here by chance.”
France will be taking no chances against an Iceland side that have proven to the world that they can take advantage of every opportunity. It won’t be easy for the host side to progress, but this should be where the fairytale story ends.
Prediction
France 2 – 0 Iceland
Will France progress to a massive semi-final encounter against Germany? Or will Iceland once again wow the world with a stunning up set victory? Join The Roar from 5am (AEST) for live scores from the match and a blog of the game.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: France 5 - 2 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - France keep possession for the remainder of the game, and the referee finally blows for full time. France will go on to face Germany in the Semi-Finals. The fairytale is over for Iceland. France 5 - 2 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Two minutes of time to be added on. France have possession and will be looking to keep it until the final whistle. France 5 - 2 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
86' - France look to push forward right away again, looking for an instant reply, but this time Iceland are hip to it and don't let it happen. France 5 - 2 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - GOAL ICELAND! Iceland get another back, but at this stage you have to imagine its just a consolation! Bjarnason wins the header in the box and beats Lloris! France 5 - 2 Iceland
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Hu Hu Hu Goooooooooooooool !
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - About 12 minutes to go, and the crowd from both sides are still full of energy. Doesn't look like the players are. France 5 - 1 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - Still all France here. They seem to have no trouble shutting Iceland down, despite having slowed down themselves all over the pitch. They still look dangerous on the counter, and thats where they seem to be focusing all of their energy. France 5 - 1 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
68' - Iceland are much more competitive in the second half, but France have slowed down significantly, and when Iceland have managed to find the net France responded in kind right away. However, France still look the much more dangerous side moving forward. Every time they get the ball you just expect them to score. France 5 - 1 Iceland
Stevo
Roar Rookie
It was a terrific reflex save from a point blank scoring attempt.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
64' - Iceland to their credit are not lying down, and could have easily just scored twice were it not for Lloris' reflexes! France 5 - 1 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
60' - Giroud comes off for Gignac right after scoring. France in cruise control once again. France 5 - 1 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
59' - GOAL FRANCE! Payet's ball into the box finds the head of Giroud, and it's directed into the back of the net! What a response from France, who once again lead by four! France 5 - 1 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
56' - GOAL ICELAND! Sigthorsson receives the ball into the box and is able to slot it past the keeper first time! Great goal, and Iceland have one back! France 4 - 1 Iceland
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Brilliant from the Vikings!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
54' - France have plenty of bodies back whenever Iceland have the ball. They are up by four but are playing like they are only up by one or two, not allowing themselves to get sloppy in the back. France 4 - 0 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
50' - Payet comes agonisingly close to adding a fifth for France, who are just in cruise control at the moment! It could just be a matter of how many times France can find the net! France 4 - 0 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
45' - Iceland kick us off for the second half. Will we see the greatest comeback in international sport, or will we see more France domination? France 4 - 0 Iceland
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
HALF TIME: France 4 - 0 Iceland