Nice: England were dealt a humiliating 1-2 defeat by minnows Iceland on Tuesday as Roy Hodgson’s side crashed out of Euro 2016 in one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the game. It ranked alongside their 0-1 loss to the part-timers of the United States at the 1950 World Cup and sent Iceland, appearing at their first major tournament, into a glamour quarterfinal with hosts France.
Ragnar Sigurdsson cancelled out Wayne Rooney’s fourth-minute opener before Kolbeinn Sigthorsson’s tame shot squirmed past England goalkeeper Joe Hart for an 18th-minute winner. As expected, England coach Roy Hodgson made six changes to his starting XI at a muggy Stade de Nice, which included a recall for Raheem Sterling. Rooney planted the penalty into the bottom-left corner to crown his 115th England appearance — which tied David Beckham’s record for an outfield player — with a 53rd international goal.
Remarkably, his side’s lead was to last only 34 seconds. Kari Arnason headed the ball on and Sigurdsson charged in behind a dosing Kyle Walker to volley home from close range. It drew a roar from the blue-shirted fans in the Iceland end. They were screaming with disbelief in the 18th minute as Sigthorsson rolled a shot goal-wards that Hart could only palm into his bottom-left corner.
That goal was to prove enough for the Icelanders, who defended very well. The final whistle brought England’s players to their knees and sent the Iceland bench tearing onto the pitch in celebration.
‘Sons’ father famous win:
Nice (France), June 28: Iceland’s football heroes hailed a historic day for the small Nordic nation after they stunned England on Monday to take the last quarterfinal place. “It’s the biggest achievement in Icelandic sport history, without a doubt,” said Jon Dadi Bodvarsson. In their debut appearance at a major tournament, Iceland can now look forward to a fairytale showdown with Didier Deschamps’ France at the Stade de France on Sunday.
“This is the first time we’re playing in such a big tournament and I don’t even know how far we’ve gone, it’s so amazing, I’m speechless,” the 24-year-old said. Roared on by 3,500 ecstatic fans in the Nice stadium, Iceland fought back from a goal down to beat England 2-1 in one of the biggest shocks in football history. “It was unbelievable. Goosebumps and all those feelings. The fans were the loudest today. They were amazing and definitely our 12th man,” said Bodvarsson.
“I can’t imagine how the country is at the moment. It’s upside down,” said captain Aron Gunnarsson. “It’s just a proud moment and something we’ll treasure for the rest of our lives,” said Gunnarsson, adding, “Beating England in the last 16 is a fantastic achievement and something that everyone can be proud of. We always believe. That’s our attitude.”
