adminRank outsiders Iceland enjoyed a superb big-stage debut as they clinched a shock 1-1 draw against Euro 2016 Group F favourites Portugal last night.
It was a miserable evening for Portugal’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo even though he equalled Luis Figo’s record of 127 appearances for his country.
Iceland produced a typically industrious performance on their debut in a major tournament with winger Birkir Bjarnason cancelling out Nani’s first-half opener.
A string of good saves by goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson, coupled with Ronaldo’s wasteful finishing, was a significant factor for Iceland.
Iceland fulfilled their pre-match promise to show no nerves and went close in the third minute when keeper Rui Patricio denied Gylfi Sigurdsson with a double stop, smothering the rebound after parrying the midfielder’s first effort.
Portugal eventually got into their stride, but the final pass kept going astray. — Reuters.
Online Reporter