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Nicolas Gerbault
Nicolas Gerbault is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Nicolas discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Nicolas enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.
Shot off target by J. Koundé
Mateta misses the target! On a cross from Koné, blocked and not easy to recover, the Crystal Palace scorer struggles to touch the ball but he fails to find the target.
In the other match of this group D, between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, the score is also 0-0 at this moment. As a reminder, the Blues could be qualified this Monday evening for the next World Cup, in the event of a victory in Reykjavik and a misstep by the Ukrainians (draw or defeat).
The Blues also try to press when they lose the ball and Saliba comes out very far from his defense to hinder the carrier on the halfway line. Problem: the Arsenal defender commits a foul and Iceland loses possession.
Iceland is playing well in 5-3-2 this Monday evening, at least in the defensive phase, and Ellertsson is discovering the role of right piston after having worked on the left during the first three matches. It is Tomasson, experienced in the exercise, who replaces him on the other side of the field.
The Icelanders exert intense pressure, collectively, and Deschamps' players are struggling to progress on the pitch for the moment. Here, Thauvin returns the ball directly to the opponent after a missed cross.
Nkunku comes up against Olafsson! The Blues already get a corner during this meeting and Olise hits it outgoing, from the left wing. At the far post, Nkunku is forgotten, he hits from close range but it is the Icelandic goalkeeper who wins.
The first sequences allow us to see Olise very present in the heart of the game (and not Thauvin). The Lensois designer is a little further to his right for the moment.
Orel Grinfeld, the main referee of the match, kicks off the first period.
On the Iceland side, Arnar Gunnlaugsson makes two changes compared to the team which started Friday evening in the defeat against Ukraine (3-5). Striker Andri Gudjohnsen (23) is suspended and he is replaced up front by his younger brother Daniel Tristan Gudjohnsen (19). Thorsteinsson, another attacker, is sent to the bench, in favor of left side Tomasson. Aligned three times in this position during these qualifiers, Ellertsson could thus find the middle (if 4-3-3), unless he continues in defense in a 5-3-2. Lille's Haraldsson is well established in the midfield.
The French team has just revealed its starting lineup and Didier Deschamps presents no less than seven changes compared to that of Friday against Azerbaijan (3-0). In addition to Mbappé, injured, Gusto, T. Hernandez, Rabiot, K. Thuram, Coman and Ekitité were sent to the bench, allowing (among other things) Mateta to celebrate his first start in Blue, at the forefront. The Crystal Palace scorer will be supported by a Thauvin – Olise – Nkunku trio in front of the Koné – Camavinga pair in the middle. The last two modifications concern the full-backs since Koundé (right) and Digne (left) return to the eleven.
Effective point: already deprived of Dembélé, Doué, Barcola, Thuram, Cherki, Kolo Muani (injured) and Tchouaméni (suspended) before the match on Friday evening, Didier Deschamps had to deal with two new absences for this Monday: Mbappé and Konaté, both also injured. On the Icelandic side, striker A. Gudjohnsen is suspended after collecting a new yellow card on Friday following the defeat against Ukraine (3-5).
Iceland, third in the group and six points behind the Blues, will probably seek to reach second qualifying place for the Final Four in March. Ukraine (2nd) is currently only one step away and there will be a Ukraine – Iceland match on the 6th and final day, on November 16.
For qualification in mid-October, before the last two matches in November, the scenario is simple for France: a victory in Iceland is needed as well as a misstep by Ukraine against Azerbaijan at the same time (defeat or draw). On the first leg, Rebrov's players were caught in Baku (1-1).
Winner without forcing Azerbaijan on Friday evening at the Parc des Princes (3-0), Didier Deschamps' collective took another step towards the 2026 World Cup. The Blues, in September, won in Ukraine (0-2) then against Iceland (2-1) and they could validate their ticket this Monday evening if the planets align.
Welcome to our site to follow the 4th day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the France team and the meeting in Iceland, in Reykjavik this Monday evening. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. at Laugardalsvöllur.