France thrash Iceland 5-2, to set up semi-final playoff with Germany

SUN, 03 Jul 2016 European Championship-Quarter-Final

France                                                                  beat       Iceland 5-2 FT

Giroud 12’, 59’, Pogba19’, Oayet42’, Griezmann45’                                      Sigthorsson 56’, Bjamason 84’

France thrashed Iceland 5-2 and set up Euro 2016 semi-final against World champions Germany in Marseille on Thursday.

Oliver Giroud’s low strike and Paul Pogba’s powerful header from a corner , Dimitri Payet scored his third goal with a precise low strike from 20 yards that skidded across greasy surface before Antoine Griezmann deftly lifted the ball over Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Hlldorsson, after 14 passes, the third longest pass sequence before a goal at Euro 2016, stunned disbelief around the Stade de France at the break as the host nation walked off with a 4-0 lead.

In the second half Kilneinn Sigthotsson stuck home at the near post from Guylfi Sigurdsson’s cross as Iceland refused to give in before France restored their four-goal advantage when Giroud headed in a free-kick.

Iceland’s Birkir Bjarnason headed a second for his side in the final stages of the game. Iceland created several decent chances –Jon Dadi Bodvarsson shot over from an excellent position in the first half and Hugo Lloris made brilliant save to stop a Sverrir Ingason header after the restart – in addition to their two goals.

France have not lost in their last 17 major tournament games played on home soil, winning 15 and drawing two. Olivier Giroud has scored 10 goals in his last nine starts for France.

France had 61 per cent possession and 8 shots on target and four corners.