After sending England packing Iceland will hope to spring an even more dramatic surprise on one of Europe’s footballing superpowers in the quarter finals as they take on hosts France.
Didier Deschamps’ squad are still yet to find their best form four games into their tournament and spent the best part of an hour against Ireland sweating on their Euro 2016 future before Antoine Griezmann came to the rescue.
The indifferent form of the French compares markedly to Iceland, still unbeaten in tournament football and having belied the tag of “plucky underdogs” with a composed, disciplined display against England in which they were by far the better side.
Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge were unable to find a way past the Icelandic defensive wall, will Dimitri Payet and company endure similar struggles at the Stade de France? If not, the French defence will need to show far more resolve on set pieces than England did.
Team news
Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante and Sevilla centre-back Adil Rami will both be unavailable to Deschamps after picking up their second bookings of the tournament whilst Arsenal pair Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny will both be on a disciplinary tightrope ahead of a possible semi-final against either Germany or Italy.
Griezmann hopes to move into a central attacking position after his double secured a 2-1 victory over Ireland and it may be that Giroud, without a goal since the opening game, makes way for the Atletico Madrid forward.
Iceland have no significant disciplinary concerns and, notwithstanding any late fitness worries, are unlikely to make major changes to the side that so comprehensively outclassed England.
Possible XI
France: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra, Matuidi, Cabaye, Pogba, Coman, Griezmann, Payet
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, R. Sigurdsson, Arnason, Skulason, Gudmundsson, G. Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason, Sigthorsson, Bodvarsson
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