Euro 2016 Quarter-Final: France vs Iceland

FT: What a game. Emphatic from the French, and Iceland are the eternal entertainers. They did win the second half. France vs Germany, that will be interesting. Full time 5-2 to France.

86' Sævarsson into the box, tries to square off Sigþórsson, but cut out by Mangala.

81' Another one!! Entertainment personified, Bjarnason with a perfect header into the bottom corner. Iceland you beauty!!

78' Full marks to Iceland for coming out in the second half and giving it an almighty go in the second half. Win the second half, they might still do.

74' France are managing the game brilliantly here, Iceland have looked dangerous on occasions, but it's safe to say that Iceland players will take the final whistle now.

69' Iceland are going for it here, and a regularly getting countered, the most recent one almost leading to a goal from Payet. What a game!!!

67' One for the Arsenal fans, no players have contributed to more goals than Ramsey and Giroud. Arsene knows.

62' Chance for Iceland!!! Lovely header by Ingason. But, what a save by Lloris, brilliant stuff!

58' What a freekick from Payet, onto the head of Giroud, who puts it in the back of the net. Definitely not a snooze fest!!!

55' BACK IN IT? Lovely goal from Iceland, good cross from Sigurðsson and Sigþórsson finishes it on the front post.

53' The game has mellowed down as expected, the French have definitely take the gas off the pedal, just hope in doesn't turn into snooze fest.

49' Chance for Payet! Lovely build-up play from France, the Icelanders can't keep up with their tempo at all.

47' The Griezmann goal was the 100th goal in the competition in France.

46' Couple of changes for Iceland, they have to mix things up to salvage some pride.

HT' What just happened!!! Iceland were just brought down to earth. England, ohh dear lord!

45' 4-0 Griezmann with an emphatic finish, Pogba pass, Giroud dummy, Griezmann runs clear and dinks it over the keeper.

42' PAYEEEEEET! 3-0, left footed shot to the left corner from the edge of the box. That's the game there, France just ran away with it. Mr Hodgson, any comments?

41' What a ball by Sigurðsson, thankfully for Lloris there wasn't a touch on that.

38' The French players are enjoying themselves here, Payet with a couple of step overs and a cutback dink to Matuidi who tries to hit it first time and goes out of for a goal kick. It was so far off the goal that the cameraman didn't even bother showing it.

34' France are getting into a good shape once the Icelanders have the ball, and Iceland lack the quality to break them down, at least till now.

30' Iceland's biggest threat are definitely the long throws from Gunnarsson, but this time Evra clears easily.

28' The Icelanders look vulnerable from corners, another great delivery from Payet, but this time the Iceland defence gets it away from the danger area.

23' CHANCE! Another rocket of a throw from Gunnarsson, the knockdown gets to Böðvarsson who can't hit the target. On second viewing Umtiti seems to have got a leg to that, should have been a corner.

22' The French are playing with a spring in their step now, the Icelanders have to stem the flow of the French here otherwise they may end up with a hiding.

18' GOALLLL!!! The Dab is back! Pogba raising higher than Böðvarsson and heading to the back of the net from a Griezmann corner.

17' France are slowing down the game, trying to keep Iceland away from the ball, but Iceland get the ball and counter, cross from the right onto the head of Sigþórsson, who heads it over.

13' Gunnarsson looking to get Iceland back straight away with one of his trademark long throws, but easily cleared by France.

12' GOAL!! Giroud with a brilliant left-footed volley through Halldórsson legs, from a ball from deep by Matuidi. There was too much space behind the Iceland defence there.

7' The game has settled into an expected pattern, France with the possession and Iceland going back to front as soon as possible.

5' Some lovely football from France at the edge of the Iceland box, Payet with the final shot, Halldórsson almost makes mess of it but collects it before any French player gets there.

3' Umtiti, the debutant looked a bit nervous there, and Sigurðsson almost takes advantage, but can't connect properly, trickles to the arms of Lloris.

1' The rain will make the pitch fast and zippy, France with a freekick straight after kick-off, Payet takes it, a foul in the box against France.

We are all set and ready to go, Iceland in all whites and France in their traditional Blue.

Stade de France, you beauty!!! All the French fans have created a sea of blue and white. Hands down one of the best atmospheres in a stadium in Euro 2016.

Sissoko has been rewarded with his brilliant performance against Switzerland, and probably because he'll help defending set pieces better (and long throws) than Cabaye.

The Starting Lineups are out...
France have gone 4-2-3-1 with Lloris; Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Payet, Sissoko, Griezmann; Giroud;

Iceland have gone with the same lineup for the fifth time in a row with Halldorsson; Saevarsson, R. Sigurdsson, Arnason, Skulason; Gudmundsson, G. Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason; Sigthorsson, Bodvarsson;

France vs Iceland Preview

France takes on Iceland for the last game of the quarterfinals, with world champions Germany awaiting the winner in the semi-finals. While France, one of the favourites to win the competition were expected to be here, Iceland have beaten the odds to topple the English and reach the last eight.

Iceland are doing their best impression of Leicester City, defying the laws of football and reaching the quarters in their first ever major competition. The only team apart from Wales to score in all their games in the competition have been involved in four games where both sides have scored, defining the guts and character in the side.

France have been respectful to Iceland in build up of the game, and shouldn't make the mistakes the English did. France have managed their competition brilliantly, resting players at the right time and with players stepping up in various games to propel the team. But, then again, they're neighbors with the English.

France vs Iceland Live Stream and Kickoff

Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off time:4th July, 0:30 am IST
Live Stream: SonyLIV (http://www.sonyliv.com/)

France vs Iceland Team News

Samuel Umtiti, who was confirmed as a new Barcelona player is set to start in the place of a suspended Adil Rami. This will potentially be the first cap for the 22-year old. N'Golo Kante is also suspended for the game and will be replaced by Yohan Cabaye. Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny are a card away from missing a potential semi-final.

Iceland will start with the same players for the fifth consecutive time in the competition, but they run the risk of losing a few players through suspension if they upset France and reach the semis with nine of their players on yellow cards.

France vs Iceland Probable Lineups

France Probable XI vs Iceland (4-3-3): Lloris; Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi; Payet, Giroud, Griezmann;
Iceland Probable XI vs France(4-4-2): Halldorsson; Saevarsson, R. Sigurdsson, Arnason, Skulason; Gudmundsson, G. Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason; Sigthorsson, Bodvarsson;

France vs Iceland H2H (Head to Head)

The French have never lost to Iceland winning eight of the eleven games they played against the Icelanders. Six of those eight wins were in France, Iceland conceding a cumulative 22 goals in those games.

France vs Iceland Form Guide (Last five games)

France-WDWWW
The French have been almost 'complete' in the tournament, winning three of the four games in the competition.

Iceland- WWDDL
The Icelanders have peaked at the right time in the tournament, winning the last two games.

*most recent first

France vs Iceland Prediction

France are favourites to win this one and Iceland won't care. They have been underdogs for most of their games and are still in the last eight, they will back their strengths and will aim to cause another upset.

France will look to avoid any complacency and hopefully play their own game. One thing is for sure, their defence will be under pressure, with Iceland's direct game and the inexperience of Umtiti, the likes of Koscielny has to guide the youngster through the game.

I go with my heart which is pointing at a 2-1 Iceland win.

Euro 2016 Quarter-Final: France vs Iceland - LIVE