France vs. Iceland: Beacon of borrowed time in tough against host
If Iceland's improbable Euro 2016 run must end somewhere, Sunday in Saint-Denis against host France would offer little in the way of shock.
France entered the tournament the favourite, boasting an attack with dynamic interchangeable parts and a dazzling young core. A charmed draw wasn't without its challenges, and three of Les Blues' four group-stage goals came in the 89th minute or later.
Iceland, on the other hand, arrived on the continent having dropped four of its last six Euro tuneups, and the hopes of a tiny nation were merrily tethered to a Group F placement littered with suspicious sides.
Goliath's greatest strength, his size, was also his most considerable weakness, and while France has the better pieces, they haven't quite fit yet. Didier Deschamps et al may not enjoy the same fortune if they leave it late against Iceland, which hopes to overcome lopsided odds once again and slingshot its way into underdog lore.
Injuries and suspensions
France
Injuries: None
Suspensions: Adil Rami, N'Golo Kante
Semi-final suspension if booked versus Iceland: Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny
Iceland
Injuries: None
Suspensions: None
Semi-final suspension if booked versus France: Kari Arnason, Birkir Bjarnason, Johann Gudmundsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Hannes Halldorsson, Birkir Saevarsson, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ari Skulason
Related - Anatomy of a Goal: Iceland's long-throw routine working like a charm
Projected lineups
France starting XI: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Payet, Griezmann; Giroud
N'Golo Kante's absence will likely see Deschamps opt for a 4-2-3-1 rather than hand Morgan Schneiderlin his first Euro appearance. Barcelona new boy Samuel Umtiti could make his debut over Eliaquim Mangala for the suspended Adil Rami.
Iceland starting XI: Halldorsson; B. Saevarsson, Arnason, R. Sigurdsson, A. Skulason; G. Sigurdsson, A. Gunnarsson; Gudmundsson, B. Bjarnason; Sigthorsson, Bodvarsson
Entering the match with the same eleven that started against England, bet the house on this team sheet differing from a potential semi-final one, as only Ragnar Sigurdsson and Jon Dadi "Dad Body" Bodvarsson enter Sunday's clash without a yellow card.
What to watch
While England may have come equipped with a disjointed attack and armoury of wayward crosses and celestial corner kicks, Iceland would be wise not to hold the French in the same regard Sunday north of Paris.
Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet are more direct and efficient in attack, and Olivier Giroud provides a different menace than Roy Hodgson and co.'s limp effort could muster in the last 16. There's also the potential that Paul Pogba could be completely unplayable.
Logic says France is due for an offensive showing, and in five matches, has had 24 of its attempts blocked and another six hit the woodwork.
Iceland enters Sunday's tilt without pressure or expectation. Each fixture in France is the biggest match in the history of the nation's humble footballing story.
Any hopes against the host rest on the combination of Gylfi Sigurdsson and captain Aron Gunnarsson in the middle and the backline's avoidance of drastic errors. Hannes Halldorsson has made more saves (23) than any of his peers during Euro 2016, and the squad has 116 clearances in four matches, 46 more than Les Bleus have been forced to make.
Iceland will need to avoid the fate of a side that battles for 90 minutes only to concede perilously late, like when Payet rescued the result versus Romania or Griezmann secured an advantage five days later against Albania.
"That is why they are scoring at the end of games," Iceland co-manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said. "Because they are really tiring their opponents. Everybody is playing against France with that in mind, not to concede."
Prediction
The idea that David was pegged as a massive underdog to the Philistine colossus Goliath is overplayed. Armed with a slingshot and carefully selected rocks, the future king of Israel befell the bumbling behemoth with one shot, and like David, Iceland will fancy making the most of what might be a single opportunity.
That doesn't mean that they will topple a giant against most odds.
Iceland, thanks for the levity and inspiring play during a tournament that kicked off with violence and followed it with humdrum performances ... but the next stop is yours.
France 3 (Giroud 2, Griezmann), Iceland 1 (Bodvarsson, pen)