Euro 2020 qualifiers: Iceland 0-4 France - 5 talking points and analysis

France swatted aside Iceland’s challenge as they ran out 4-0 winners at the Stade de France on Monday. The victory lifted the hosts to the top of their Euro 2020 qualification table, ahead of Turkey on goal difference.

The home side got off to the perfect start in the 12th minute when Samuel Umtiti scored the opener. Though the world champions applied pressure, they weren’t able to breach the away side’s defence further in the first half.

In the second period, Olivier Giroud doubled the hosts’ advantage eight minutes after the hour mark when he coolly slotted past Halldorsson. Ten minutes later, Kylian Mbappe put the result beyond doubt with a superb toe-poke finish.

However, France wasn’t done yet as Antoine Griezmann latched onto a sublime Mbappe back-heel to add more gloss on the score-line.

Here is a look at five talking points from the game.

#5 France’s attack too hot to handle for Iceland

Mbappe was sensational while Giroud turned in one of his better recent displays

Both teams came into the encounter at the Stade de France jostling for top position in the group. Though France boasted of a significant advantage on paper, many expected Iceland to punch above their weight. However, the hosts turned the screw spectacularly and blew the visitors away.

The world champions attacked from the outset and caused Iceland problems. Mbappe was sensational while Giroud turned in one of his better recent displays.

With the security of N’Golo Kante behind them, the hosts’ front five methodically pulled Iceland apart. Throughout the game, Giroud functioned as the ideal target man and brought the others into play. His movement created space for the likes of Griezmann and Mbappe to come in-field.

Blaise Matuidi, meanwhile, was efficient if not extravagant, whereas Paul Pogba pulled the strings in midfield and distributed the ball with aplomb. The home side’s midfield superiority also allowed their full-backs to venture forward frequently.

Since France’s World Cup triumph, Didier Deschamps’ men have stuttered and have failed to showcase their attacking verve.

Yet, on Monday, their offensive prowess came to the fore and eventually proved a little too hot to handle for Iceland.

#4 Samuel Umtiti shines against Iceland

Samuel Umtiti has endured a torrid 2018-19 season. The heroics of the summer of 2018 were quickly followed by a string of injuries. The time out of the game took its toll on the Frenchman as he looked rusty in the aftermath of his injury.

However, against Iceland, the defender recaptured the form of last season and put in an accomplished display.

Umtiti was paired alongside Raphael Varane and the duo ensured that the hosts left the Stade de France with a clean sheet in their bag.

Though Iceland didn’t particularly set the world on fire with their attacking performance, the French defensive partnership was on hand to repel everything the visitors threw at them.

Additionally, he confidently played out from the back and provided France with a passing outlet under pressure.

To cap off his display, Umtiti got the opening goal. Having stayed in the opposition penalty box after a corner, the defender freed himself from the clutches of Iceland’s defence and glanced a header into the corner of the net. Thus, laying the foundation for a resounding victory.

France possesses an embarrassment of riches in central defence with the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Clement Lenglet, and Aymeric Laporte capable of slotting in.

But, if Umtiti keeps performing the way he did against Iceland, the aforementioned trio might just have to wait a tad longer for their time in the sun.

#3 Iceland fail to inspire

The story of Icelandic football has been nothing short of a fairy-tale. Having been in the dumps for the majority of the 20th century, they found themselves playing among the world’s elite through the 2010s.

The Icelanders’ appearance at the European Championships in 2016 was succeeded by a historic debut at the FIFA World Cup last year. Moreover, they gave a decent account of themselves on both occasions.

Yet, since their run at the World Cup came to a halt, Iceland has found it hard to replicate their exploits.

The visitors have never been the most effervescent offensive side. But, they carried enough counter-attacking threat to keep the opponents honest. However, against France, they appeared listless and could only muster 4 shots on target.

The away side also conceded possession and had only 24 per cent of the ball for the entirety of the game. Thus, placing additional emphasis on their defensive organisation. And Iceland eventually wilted under pressure to ship in four goals.

For a while, the Icelanders’ biggest asset has been their ability to get through contests courtesy of sheer will. However, with teams having worked out their game-plan, Iceland needs to devise a method to supplement their doggedness.

Failure to do so could lead to some very troubling times in the future.

#2 Kylian Mbappe steals the show

Kylian Mbappe has been the player on every football enthusiast’s lips ever since he took the world by storm in the 2016-17 season. Playing for AS Monaco, the Frenchman bamboozled defenders with his trickery and was touted as a bright prospect. Yet, in the past year, he has taken his game up a notch and delivered immensely on his promise.

Blessed with the ability to accelerate out of sight, Mbappe has made a living leaving defenders in his wake. However, it is his end-product that has distinguished him from players of his age.

On Monday, the forward set up the first goal with a delicious cross. The lofted pass was delivered with exemplary precision and had the right amount of pace. Hence, leaving Umtiti with the easy task of nodding the ball home.

Mbappe bagged another assist late in the game when he played Griezmann through with a sumptuous back-heel. The winger also got himself on the score-sheet in the 78th minute when he adroitly controlled the latter’s pass before firing beyond Halldorsson.

The Frenchman’s blend of pace and power makes him as tough a proposition as any to handle and when he is on song, he is nigh impossible to contain.

And unfortunately for Iceland, he had one of those days at the Stade de France.

#1 France back to their best

France has been around the higher echelons of the international circuit over the past few years. After enduring heart-break at the Euro 2016 final, they put those ghosts to rest a couple of years later with a triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Through the said tournament, the French side looked well-drilled with their midfield and attack unrivalled. However, since their success in Russia, their offensive play has looked disjointed with them producing some sub-par performances.

Thus, the French faithful wondered if the after-effects of scaling the World Cup peak had started to rear its ugly head. Yet, Deschamps’ men allayed those fears with a scintillating display against Iceland.

The hosts looked lively from the outset and drew some smart saves from Halldorsson. The trio of Mbappe, Griezmann, and Giroud enjoyed themselves as they dragged the visitors into uncomfortable areas.

The midfield pairing of Kante and Pogba dominated possession and kept the ball moving swiftly.

Defensively, they were rarely troubled as Hugo Lloris & Co. enjoyed a relatively quiet evening.

Yet, the most promising aspect for France would’ve been the vigour they showed on the pitch. Whenever they lost possession, the hosts hunted in packs and won it back. Thus, portraying that they’re doing anything but resting on their laurels.

The French side is still young with several of its players primed to reach their peak in a year’s time. Hence, they have a decent chance of emulating their Spanish counterparts and ensuring world domination.

And if Monday’s game was any indicator, France definitely has the adequate resources to come up trumps in the years to come.

Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.