Germany beat France in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals.
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Olivier Giroud scored twice to take man-of-the-match honors as France marched into the Euro 2016 semi-finals, but even after a 5-2 hammering Iceland departed with pride having struck new underdog blows.
But one thing in particular has really grabbed the world’s attention: their trademark Viking Hand Clap chant, performed by fans and players alike – or the “huh” chant, as perhaps better known in pubs and conversations with your mates.
The European minnows had an absolutely sensational tournament, holding semi-finalists Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opener, drawing with Hungary, defeating Austria and England, before eventually going out in the quarterfinals to hosts France. “They had a wonderful Euro”, added Giroud, who said the match could have been his best in the French team.
The After Dark panel breakdown France’s tactical supremacy over Iceland and look to their semifinal clash against Germany.
France celebrate one of the five goals against Iceland on Sunday night.
France’s two star players dominate the player of the tournament betting with early game-changer Payet edging favouritism at 100-30 from the fast-finishing Griezmann, who is 11-2. “He has produced strong performances in the Euros and helped the team a lot, not only with his goals”.
Pogba headed home a Griezmann corner for his first goal of the tournament and in a powerful end to the half, Griezmann teed up Payet whose low drive whistled into the far corner.
Striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who scored a consolation goal in the crushing 5-2 defeat to the hosts at the Stade de France on Sunday, said he was happy to be home.
However, Iceland, coached by Heimir Hallgrimsson and Lars Lagerback – who were loved and admired by all teams and coaches in the tourney – will nevertheless go down in history since nobody thought that they could make it so far in the Euro competition.
“They have a bit more experience than us and are used to these matches. We made mistakes and were too passive”.
Yet worse was to come for Iceland as Griezmann twisted the knife on the stroke of halftime, latching onto a through ball after Giroud’s dummy to race clear and chip the advancing Halldorsson to become tournament top scorer with four goals.
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“We were aware of Iceland’s strength, but we were on top of our game”.
