1st timer Iceland snatches memorable point from dominant Portugal
Sometimes football favours the modest.
On its major-tournament debut, Iceland was outplayed all over the pitch to an inspired Portugal side, only to share the spoils 1-1.
For all of A Selecao's dazzling runs and attacking impetus, the minnows from a country of 332,529 were resolute in defending, withstanding a feverish onslaught over the final 10 minutes to earn a valuable point.
Nani put Portugal on the board first courtesy of a sublime pass from Valencia youngster Andre Gomes, who threaded an incisive ball into the feet of the pacey Fenerbahce winger.
Related- Watch: Nani prods Portugal ahead after valiant Icelandic defending
It was a deserved goal after Fernando Santos' lot bossed the first half with marauding attacks down the flank and the majority of possession.
That domination carried over into the second half, but football is a bizarre game that often favours the underdogs, and Iceland sought an equaliser from Basel midfielder Birkir Bjarnason, who ditched full-back Vieirinha before tucking away Johann Gudmundsson's cross.
Related - Watch: Iceland's Bjarnason scores historic equaliser vs. Portugal
It was Iceland's first-ever goal in a major tournament, and an ecstatic wave of blue at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard responded accordingly.
Of all the major sports, numbers have less bearing on football than others, but there's no mistaking Portugal's dominance on Monday.
| Stat. | Portugal | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 17 | 4 |
| On Target | 10 | 4 |
| Corners | 11 | 2 |
| Possession | 66% | 34% |
| Pass. Accuracy | 87% | 59% |
| Passes | 616 | 223 |
| Pass. Comp. | 536 | 132 |
Even with the result, Portuguese supporters will be buoyed by strong performances by an emerging core all under 25.
Gomes (22) was utterly brilliant and Danilo (24), Raphael Guerreiro (22), and Joao Mario (23) all made good accounts of themselves. Renato Sanches (18) was brought on during the second half, while shot-stopper Anthony Lopes (25), William Carvalho (24), Cedric (24), and Rafa Silva (23) all watched on from the bench. FC Porto's Ruben Neves, the youngest player to captain a side in the Champions League, couldn't even find a spot on Santos' budding band.
With Hungary the surprise side in Group F after a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Austria, Cristiano Ronaldo and co. will face Marcel Koller's lot while an animated Icelandic squad will lock horns with the shock table-toppers in Marseille on June 18.