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

#4 Samuel Umtiti shines against Iceland

Samuel Umtiti

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.