After sending England packing Iceland will hope to spring an even more dramatic surprise on one of Europe’s footballing superpowers in the quarter finals as they take on hosts France.
Didier Deschamps’ squad are still yet to find their best form four games into their tournament and spent the best part of an hour against Ireland sweating on their Euro 2016 future before Antoine Griezmann came to the rescue.
The indifferent form of the French compares markedly to Iceland, still unbeaten in tournament football and having belied the tag of “plucky underdogs” with a composed, disciplined display against England in which they were by far the better side.
Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge were unable to find a way past the Icelandic defensive wall, will Dimitri Payet and company endure similar struggles at the Stade de France? If not, the French defence will need to show far more resolve on set pieces than England did.”We keep scaring ourselves, we’re crazy,” the 35-year-old said. “If we keep doing that, we might not go through. We need to stop reacting and start acting.
Iceland produced the shock of the tournament when they knocked out England on Monday evening, beating the Three Lions 2-1 in Nice.
But despite the historic result, joint coach Heimir Hallgrimsson believes their best game is still to come, and that all the pressure sits firmly with their opponents.
“I think you can agree with me that we have been playing better and better throughout the competition, and I think you can agree with me that our best game is still to come.
“There is a big difference in the pressure on Iceland and on France. France cannot lose the game, it would be horrible for the French nation. But the Icelandic people would be happy if we get a good performance against France.
“But we are realistic. You dream big. We can play the best game of our lives and still lose against France.”
Kante will be joined on the sidelines by Adil Rami, who is also suspended for the clash, while exciting youngster Kingsley Coman is a doubt.
