However, their dream run ended as hosts France beat them 5-2 in the quarter-finals here on Sunday.
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Payet had scored late goals in France’s first two wins against Romania and Albania but here the 29-year-old’s shooting allowed them to close the game out by half-time.
His throw in the second half eventually led to Iceland’s goal by Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.
And Giroud, who won man of the match, said: “From my perspective I am pleased, no more than that”.
“Clearly it was less stressful tonight, but we were able to put our foot down, able to turn matches around”.
“We will set the target to go all the way to the World Cup”.
With two goals in the final two minutes of the half by Payet and Griezmann, France had already killed off their opponents.
“I’m very proud. It’s been a fantastic tournament, something special for a small team like us”, said Iceland striker Gylfi Sigurdsson.
France were the better team, controlled the game and never looked like they were going to lose, but that didn’t dishearten Iceland, who refused to relent until the final whistle had been blown. There is no doubt about that even if they had a few frights against Italy, who stopped them playing.
He said Griezmann’s pass for his goal had been “a gift”. He scored his side’s third goal against Iceland.
Olivier Giroud set France on their way to a comprehensive victory over Iceland at Euro 2016.
“It’s really impressive that the players turned it around as they did and I don’t think it was because France let us do that. We made mistakes and were too passive”.
France striker Antoine Griezmann said taking on the Germans in front of a predominantly French crowd at the Stade Velodrome will help. Collecting Olivier Giroud’s delicate flick, he drew goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson off his line and then floated the ball over his shoulder for his 11th worldwide goal.
Sigthorsson, who netted Iceland’s victor against England, scored for the second game running after poking in Sigurdsson’s cross on 56 minutes. Giroud added a fifth for France immediately after in the 60th minute from a lovely freekick by Payet. They can only get better for the experience of the last five games, and no more so than from the pasting they received at the hands of a ruthless France.
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Iceland were rewarded for their perseverence though as they grabbed a second goal when Bjarnason headed in Ari Skulason’s cross on 84 minutes.
