Arnason: Iceland has belief for England test

Iceland defender Kari Arnason put in another lionhearted performance when his tiny island nation bagged a last-gasp 2-1 win over Austria on Wednesday, and he's confident it can get a result against England in the Round of 16.

In its first-ever major international tournament, Iceland finished above Portugal and Austria in Euro 2016's Group F to remarkably earn a place in the knockout rounds.

Related: Iceland's last-ditch defeat of Austria confirms historic leap into last 16

"I can't really describe it. To do this with your best friends is fantastic. This is extra sweet for us," Arnason told Agence France-Presse.

"We're a tightly-knit group and what we've done is fantastic. It's extra fun to do it beside my best friends and the supporters as well.

"Having 10,000 people from Iceland it's unbelievable. I know probably at least 50 percent of the crowd or at least recognise them."

Arnason's familiarity with fellow Icelanders comes even when he's plied a significant chunk of his playing career overseas. Spells with Plymouth Argyle, Aberdeen, and Rotherham United certainly influenced his colourful language about Cristiano Ronaldo last week, and also his allegiances when following international football.

"I've always supported England at big international tournaments when we haven't been playing," Arnason continued.

"It's a dream come true, but we go into the game to get a result. We believe in our ability."

Iceland takes on the Three Lions in Nice on Monday, and England legend Alan Shearer believes no one should be frightened of Roy Hodgson's underwhelming lot.

"Whoever we are up against, we are going to have to improve," Shearer told BBC Sport's Chris Bevan. "Roy says we are ready to give someone a hiding, and I hope we do, but we are going to have to click in front of goal pretty soon or the worst will happen."