In a tense evening in Reykjavik, Iceland held off the Blues by snatching a 2-2 draw, frustrating a dominant but lacking inspiration French team. Didier Deschamps' players struggled to accelerate the game, and a controversial refereeing decision – a free kick generously awarded, as well as a possible foul on Manu Koné before the first Icelandic goal – triggered the anger of the French coach, who denounced a feeling of“unfairness” and regretted the lack of efficiency of his players.
In response, Icelandic coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson chose irony to brush aside the controversy. Referring to a goal denied to his team in the first leg in Paris, he said: “Maybe there was a mistake, maybe not. Sometimes karma is good. In Paris, I think Konaté was not to blame. » With a smirk, he reversed the criticism by emphasizing a form of moral revenge, savoring a draw seen as a symbolic victory as much as a tactical one. The “Strákarnir okkar” occupy third place in group D with 4 points but can still dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
