Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s first-half goal proved enough for Iceland to defeat an ineffective England side at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night, leaving Roy Hodgson’s men booed off at full time before Euro 2024 begins.
England’s defense was far from impressive at times, as Kolbeinn Sigthorsson scored England’s opening goal after latching onto a loose ball in the box and latching onto it despite Joe Hart’s best efforts late in play to block his goal.
Here we will discuss the main points of England National Football Team vs Iceland National Football Team Stats.
England vs. Iceland – June 7, 2024
| Position | England | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Aaron Ramsdale | Elias Ólafsson |
| Right Back | Kyle Walker | Alfons Sampsted |
| Center Back | John Stones | Brynjar Ingi Bjarnason |
| Center Back | Marc Guéhi | Hjörtur Hermannsson |
| Left Back | Kieran Trippier | Guðmundur Þórarinsson |
| Midfielder | Kobbie Mainoo | Arnór Sigurðsson |
| Midfielder | Declan Rice | Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson |
| Midfielder | Cole Palmer | Mikael Anderson |
| Forward | Phil Foden | Jón Dagur Þorsteinsson |
| Forward | Anthony Gordon | Andri Guðjohnsen |
| Forward | Harry Kane (Captain) | Hákon Arnar Haraldsson |
Substitutions:
| England | Iceland |
|---|---|
| Joe Gomez for Kieran Trippier (64′) | Aron Elis Þrándarson for Mikael Anderson (70′) |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold for Kyle Walker (64′) | Sveinn Aron Guðjohnsen for Andri Guðjohnsen (78′) |
| Conor Gallagher for Kobbie Mainoo (75′) | Aron Gunnarsson for Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson (85′) |
| Ivan Toney for Anthony Gordon (75′) | Emil Pálsson for Hákon Arnar Haraldsson (90′) |
England National Football Team
Gareth Southgate’s side were let down by Iceland, who continued their winning ways by knocking England out of Euro 2016 and ending Roy Hodgson’s reign with their strong attack and poor defense – with Aaron Ramsdale filling in for Jordan Pickford after 12 minutes, being lucky that Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s low shot from 12 meters passed without incident.
The Three Lions started strong with Anthony Gordon outwitting two defenders on an impressive mazy run before having his pass intercepted by Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson and cleared away by Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson. Harry Kane grabbed an opportunity inside quarter of an hour while Cole Palmer ran onto a cross that was poked wide from an acute angle.
Raheem Sterling’s absence was unexpected for England but ultimately not as costly. Andre Gray filled in well on the left wing and made some good runs despite often overhitting his crosses.
Manchester United’s Declan Rice is an exceptional talent who demonstrated it here with some intelligent touches and close calls against Iceland defenders, nearly scoring from close range himself after some faulty defense from Iceland presented him with an opportunity.
Stones was involved in the defensive investigation when Thorsteinsson scored, yet did not appear capable of taking control. Although he made some good tackles and showed good aerial ability, Stones frequently conceded possession too easily while not positioning his teammates to assist. At half-time Kieran Trippier was introduced as replacement.
Iceland National Football Team
England were left disappointed as they lost at Wembley after Gareth Southgate made significant changes from his last friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but still found themselves struggling against Iceland, who have become their constant tormentors of late. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s low shot left John Stones helpless against it in the 16th minute bringing back memories of their shocking 2-1 defeat at Euro 2016.
Sigurdsson quickly doubled their advantage as he volleyed a cross from Rice into the top corner for an unstoppable goal, providing no threat whatsoever for Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson to deal with. Anthony Gordon attempted a mazy dribble but could only fire wide from close range; Cole Palmer tried his luck later when running onto a superb pass from Rice but his shot was blocked off by the onrushing goalkeeper before hitting sidenetting instead of scoring for England.
Iceland boasts as many people as two English cities combined and is passionate about football, evidenced by their unique Viking Clap supporter culture and top tier league which strives for Europa qualification every season. Their manager Lars Lagerback credits former England boss Roy Hodgson with shaping his style. Furthermore, he works part time as both a dentist and lion hunter!
Goals
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s early goal secured the Three Lions victory against Iceland at Wembley Stadium. Gareth Southgate made changes following their win against Bosnia on Monday but his side looked disjointed and disorganized as their final preparation match before UEFA Euro 2024 kicked off.
England dominated the first half, yet failed to test Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson of Iceland with their shots, though Anthony Gordon produced their best chance with an improvised run that beat two defenders but his cross was cleared away at the back post. Iceland took the lead after 12 minutes when Hakon Arnar Haraldsson drove down left flank and played into Thorsteinsson before passing him the ball back for him to shoot past Jordan Pickford and give them their lead.
Aaron Ramsdale replaced Pickford in Iceland goal at the start of the second half, giving England an immediate chance to draw level as Harry Kane latched onto a Cole Palmer cross and saw his effort deflect wide. Kobbie Mainoo then had an attempt on goal for Iceland – however his curling effort from outside the box went high and wide.
At Wembley, the home side continued their quest for an equaliser and they nearly succeeded just after an hour had been played as Trent Alexander-Arnold raced down the right wing before crossing for Ivan Toney who shot just wide from close range. Unfortunately for Southgate’s men however, none were made into Thorsteinsson turned in after an excellent pass from Jo Inge Berget and turned in the box after receiving it; their players were then booed off at full time and their loss effectively ended any hope of reaching play-off position of Euro 2024 qualification.
Scoring Chances
Since they lacked a number 10 to link defence and midfield, England found it hard to find their groove. Harry Kane missed a first-half sitter while Cole Palmer failed to make much of an impactful contribution from right wing position. Phil Foden was held back from making any impactful contributions at central midfield while Marc Guehi often found themselves being forced out of position too often, while John Stones received an early heavy challenge before having to withdraw before half time.
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson had a golden opportunity to extend Iceland’s lead on the restart, but his shot from six yards went over after mishandling some excellent work from Hakon Arnar Haraldsson. That proved typical of how quickly Iceland broke through England’s defense throughout this game.
Only England could find one bright spot in substitute Bukayo Saka’s incredible skill, which saved this match from complete embarrassment despite receiving some boos at full-time.
Thorsteinsson sends Tomasson down the left flank with an exquisite backheel pass, and he dribbles all the way into the box before hitting a low cross that hits Ward’s diving arm and deflects over. An incredible run from Norwich.
Soon after, Iceland were nearly exposed by another corner, but Ramsdale made an outstanding save to deny Gretarsson another opportunity. England improved throughout, yet could not create clear opportunities of their own and the boos at the final whistle were justified – it was a humbling loss, serving as an early reminder that there remains work for this squad before their next major tournament arrives.
Cards
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s first-half strike gave Iceland an unlikely 1-0 victory against England at Wembley Stadium during their final Euro 2024 warm-up match at Wembley. Gareth Southgate’s side dominated possession and created several chances, with Cole Palmer, Harry Kane and Phil Foden coming closest, but no breakthrough could be made against Icelandic defense.
England began their game against Iceland with the same intensity they displayed against Bosnia on Monday, dominating the opening ten minutes without troubling Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson in Iceland’s goal. Anthony Gordon made an early stand-out performance by dodging past two defenders before creating an opportunity with an intricate dribble before sending in a low cross that went unheeded by all.
63 min: Hakon Arnar Haraldsson takes advantage of a defensive error by pincerning back Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson to give Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson space down the right flank, who drives into Aaron Ramsdale at his near post and shoots low past him for an assist.
65 min: Southgate makes four changes simultaneously, switching out Walker, Trippier, Gordon and Kane for Gomez, Saka, Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold (who receives an enthusiastic reception upon entering). Foden and Rice both miss long-range shots while Saka can’t turn around and volley home his pass from the right.
Alexander-Arnold sends in a corner, but there’s nobody there to prod it in at the far post. Saka then beats Finnsson down the right but his cross is stopped by an Iceland defender sliding in, both players receiving bookings for their efforts. England are currently far off from qualifying for Euro 2024’s knockout stages; massive improvements must take place if they hope to advance out of group stages.
