France end Iceland’s Euro 2016 dream with emphatic win

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France ended Iceland’s fairytale run at Euro 2016 when they crushed the surprise quarterfinalists 5-2 in Paris. Antoine Griezmann sparkled for the hosts to help set up a last-four clash with world champions Germany.

France produced one of the most dominant performances of the tournament on a damp night at the Stade de France, with Olivier Giroud scoring twice and Paul Pogba, Griezmann and Dimitri Payet adding a goal each.
The least-populous nation ever to compete at a major championships, Iceland had won the affection of many neutrals with their rugged style and passionate fans and had stunned England in the last 16.

But they finally came unstuck against a France side that appears to be clicking into top gear at just the right time and will be confident of a second Euro success on home soil after their triumph in 1984.
After rousing renditions of the two nation’s anthems, Iceland had the first shot on target of the match but midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson’s weak effort was easy for home goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Between the legs
France netted their first goal before halftime at the tournament when Olivier Giroud ran on to Blaise Matuidi’s lofted pass in the 12thminute and cracked a shot between the legs of Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson from a tight angle.
It gave Didier Deschamps’ the early lead they craved but things got even better eight minutes later at a French corner.
Antoine Griezmann swung the ball over and Paul Pogba leapt superbly above Jon Dadi Bödvarsson to power a header into the net.

Iceland came close five minutes later from one of captain Aron Gunnarsson’s trademark long throws but Jon Dadi Bödvarsson could only divert his close-range volley over the crossbar under pressure from France debutant Samuel Umtiti.