Thibault Camus/Associated Press UEFA Euro 2016 hosts France booked their semi-final spot with a simple 5-2 succeed over Iceland on Sunday, dominating the tournament debutants from start to finish. Olivier Giroud gave the hosts an early run, and Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann put Les Bleus on the road to victory before half-time. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson pulled a goal back early in the second half, but Giroud restored the four-goal conduct about immediately.
Birkir Bjarnason made it 5-2 inside the final 10 minutes, but an improbable comeback never seemed realistic. France will meet Germany in the semi-finals on Thursday. As shared by Euro 2016 ‘s official Twitter account, France coach Didier Deschamps gave centre-back Samuel Umtiti his debut : France were the clear favourites going into the match, and Bleacher Report UK just could n’t help themselves : many fans and pundits expected Iceland to sit second and cede possession to Les Bleus, but the underdog showed remarkable attacking intentions early. The first shot on goal came courtesy of Gylfi Sigurdsson, but his tone down feat did n’t trouble oneself Hugo Lloris .
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Payet did better after a adorable combination move around the box, and goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson needed two tries to get the ball under see. Moussa Sissoko closely found Griezmann with a first smart cross, but Halldorsson read the play well. meanwhile, the Iceland fans rocked the Stade de France with their now-infamous clap. SportsCenter got in on the playfulness : France soon took manipulate of possession, but Les Bleus could n’t find any actual pace with their pass. That did n’t stop Giroud from giving his team an early run, however, after a adorable testis over the top from Blaise Matuidi isolated him in front of Halldorsson. The Arsenal man kept his composure, firing the ball through the conversation stopper ‘s legs to open the grade. Bleacher Report UK ‘s Sam Tighe was impressed : Iceland responded by pushing their midfielders slightly deeper into the confrontation half, France ‘s defense easily stood firm, and a looping ball into the box was gathered by Lloris. And just five minutes late, Les Bleus struck again. Griezmann fired a superb corner kick into the box, and Pogba powered home a header near the far post to double his team ‘s jumper cable. Reykjavik Grapevine still believed in his favored team ‘s chances : Michael Sohn/Associated Press On the early side of the flip, Iceland came close to a goal of their own after another one of their distinctive long throws. The ball was deflected into the kernel of the box, but Jon Dadi Bodvarsson could n’t keep his volley on prey. But France were in full in charge of proceedings, dominating the battle in midfield. Iceland scantily saw the ball for big stretches of the first half, and when they did, every french actor worked to close the gaps. Les Bleus were glad to keep the tempo of the match low when in possession, and chances were few in the center and latter parts of the first base half. Matuidi tried his fortune with an ambitious volley after a good run from Payet, but his scene flew well off target. With five minutes left to play, a free-kick from Sigurdsson went unmoved, but Lloris judged it well and parried the testis before it crossed the wrinkle. concisely after, Payet ended the match as a contest with a beautiful low hit from outside the box. Per Squawka Football, the West Ham United man has been in fine form of belated :
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Brynjar Gunnarsson/Associated Press And there was time for one more goal, as Giroud cleverly let a pass from Pogba roll through his legs, allowing Griezmann to run at Halldorsson unopposed before finishing off the move with a superb lob. Fans felt bad for Iceland, the feel-good narrative of this year ‘s tournament. comedian Dara O Briain was one of them : Bleacher Report UK had similar ideas : Iceland introduced Alfred Finnbogason and Sverrir Ingi Ingason at half-time, while Deschamps did n’t immediately substitute those players in danger of missing out on the semi-finals through a engagement. Payet fired France ‘s first gamble of the second half over the bar, while Sigurdsson suffered the like destine at the other conclusion of the pitch. Iceland pulled a goal back with their beginning real assail of the irregular half, as Sigthorsson beat Umtiti to a great hybridization from Sigurdsson and poked the ball past Lloris. Football writer Sid Lowe appreciated the timbre of the goal : Thibault Camus/Associated Press But all thoughts of an unlikely rejoinder were erased just minutes late, as Giroud beat goalkeeper Halldorsson to a great delivery from Payet to make it 5-1. Giroud was substituted immediately, ensuring he would n’t be suspended for the semi-final, while Finnbogason fired a volley over Lloris ‘ goal, as Iceland continued to look for goals. Lloris produced a bang-up reflex deliver to deny an Ingason heading from near range, and he scantily got his hand on the result corner. Iceland wanted a penalty after a clear handball from Patrice Evra, but official Bjorn Kuipers refused to point to the position. Bleacher Report ‘s Jonathan Johnson kept his public opinion diplomatic : Claude Paris/Associated Press A distract shot from Payet about beat Halldorsson at his near military post, before Laurent Koscielny ‘s night besides came to an end, as Eliaquim Mangala was given 20 minutes. There was little of high quality left to watch in those 20 minutes, however, as France gladly defended their go and Iceland were powerless to stop them. Veteran striker and Icelandic football caption Eidur Gudjohnsen was given a belated run-out, and Bjarnason added a consolation finish, but France ‘s semi-final spot was never in doubt. France will play Germany in the semi-finals on Thursday, July 7.
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Post-Match Reaction
Ari Freyr Skulason was one of many to thank the fans for the incredible confirm the Iceland team received : France scantily broke a fret in the second half and were able to swap out their players in danger of missing out on the semi-finals, a frightful advantage entering the last stages of the competition. Germany will have the more bore legs and a couple of cardinal absentees in the semi-finals, and at this point, the hosts have to be considered favourites to win it all .