France beats Iceland 5-2, setting up semifinal with Germany

In front of the small island country is the host France, who remain as one of the favorites to win the whole tournament.

“If France win today, it is still a win for Iceland because we have done a great tournament”, said Kristin Kristinsdottir, 38.

“Physically they are very strong and we’ll have to battle for the ball”.

France coach Didier Deschamps refused to be drawn on his centre-back selection for the Euro 2016 quarter-final against Iceland amid speculation Samuel Umtiti will make a full worldwide debut at Stade de France. However, if the defender displays any nerves at the Stade de France then Sigthorsson will be quick to exploit them. “For the simple reason that taking penalties, when you’re relaxed in training, is no comparison to what you are going to experience after 120 minutes, in front of a full stadium”. Falling behind to Ireland woke them up, and although Iceland will put up an almighty fight, the hosts’ superior quality will see them through.

“France can not lose the game, it would be terrible for the French nation”.

“That was a life changing moment, let me tell you”, he said.

But France had played much better after Kante had come off and Griezmann had moved centrally to play off Olivier Giroud.

The players, meanwhile, are not dreaming and are eager to go as far as possible.

“I’m delighted every time my team win”, he said. On the other hand, Deschamps will be without Adil Rami and Ngolo Kante who are suspended. This was our best performance.

It was the first time a side had scored four goals in the first half of a Euros match and unsurprisingly proved too much of a mountain to climb, with Giroud adding another shortly after Kolbeinn Sigthorsson pulled one back.

Birkir Bjarnason tallied Iceland’s second with an 84th-minute header, but celebrations were subdued.

France (4-3-3): Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.

France have lost just one of their last 10 matches and did not lose a single match in the group stage as well.

Whoever comes into the France defence will have the added task of dealing with Iceland’s risky long throws, from which they equalised against England.

And Griezmann piled on further misery for Iceland as he was slipped through on goal, netting France’s fourth with a sublime lob over a helpless Halldorsson. France is under a state of emergency after extremist attacks past year, and hooligan violence that marred the early days of the tournament.