Iceland had the advantage as group two after two draws before the dramatic dissolution in Group D. With two points, they were one point ahead of Italy and Belgium, who at the same time in Manchester played for a quarter-final place.
But for the opposition was the big favorite France and for Iceland the evening drama in Rotherham started in the worst way.
Aim directly
The match barely had time to start before Melvine Malard heeled the ball to Clara Mateo, after which Malard rushed directly towards the penalty area. She got the ball back and scored safely in 1-0 – after only 44 seconds.
Ten minutes later, Iceland had a nod in the crossbar through Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir.
Iceland also had a great position in connection with a corner at the end of the first half when the French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin missed the boxing on a corner, but the Icelandic finish never went to goal.
But Icelandic goals were not scored and at the break it was still 1-0 in French favor.
In the second half, the team continued to create their chances. France even had a ball in goal in the 68th minute, but after a VAR review, Melvine Malard was judged to be offside.
France once again had a ball in the net, this time in the 89th minute, but this time too it was ruled out after a VAR review. This time because of hands.
In the absolute final stages of the match, Iceland received a penalty after a long VAR review which Dagný Brynjarsdóttir distinctly managed in the net.
But the goal did not help much.
The 1-1 goal was the last thing that happened and Iceland is eliminated.
Belgium won at the same time with 1-0 against Italy and is thus further as group second with four points while Iceland was third with three collected points.
Mobile phone in your pocket
Iceland’s national team captain Thorsteinn Halldórsson was aware of how things went between Belgium and Italy and then instructed.
– I was aware. I had the phone in my pocket and knew what was going on. I knew we needed to score two goals to advance to the next round, he says.
At the press conference afterwards, Haraldsson praised his team that went undefeated through the tournament with three draws. He also praised the crowd that in Rotherham sounded loud in the stands, and after the match, the team and the supporters finished by doing the “volcano” together.
– We did not lose in this tournament and I am proud of my team and proud of the supporters, he says.