France did not need long to assert its dominant over the underdogs, pounding Iceland for four goals in a record-breaking first half.
For a team that has forged a defensive reputation throughout the competition, Iceland’s backline plays relatively high up the pitch — a tactic that no team had been able to exploit.
Until now.
France’s first goal came off a beautiful long ball by Paul Pogba over Iceland’s back four. Olivier Giroud latched onto Pogba’s pass and finished with ease.
France beat Iceland at its own game for the second, with Antoine Greizmann’s corner setting up Pogba for a towering header.
Dimitri Payet, who’s been one of the players of the tournament, put the game away with a slick finish from just inside the box.
The fourth goal was scored in a similar fashion to the first, with Giroud directing a penetrating pass from Pogba directly into the path of a breaking Griezmann.
Iceland’s Euro 2016 ride will end today but will never be forgotten.
