Iceland pulled off a gutsy performance on Monday night, October 13, 2025, to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with France in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik. It was one of those nights where everything seemed to go right for the underdogs, and France couldn’t quite believe it. However, Softfootball accurately predicted a draw in the pre-match analysis but got the scoreline wrong. Despite believing the game would be close, Softfootball could not have predicted the madness that took place in the game.
The hosts shocked everyone by taking a 1-0 lead just before halftime. Captain Victor Pálsson bundled the ball in from close range in the 39th minute after chaos followed a free-kick from Albert Guðmundsson. France’s defense froze for a moment, Saliba’s clearance was poor, and Pálsson reacted quicker than anyone else to poke it home.
Without Kylian Mbappé, who scored and assisted in the 3-nil win over Azerbaijan, and with Didier Deschamps trying out a mixed lineup, France looked flat in that first half. Christopher Nkunku had a couple of half-chances, one straight at goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson, while Michael Olise’s free-kick almost slipped through the keeper’s hands but not quite. Even Koundé and Lucas Digne tried their luck, but Iceland held firm. One big moment came when Mikael Egill Ellertsson cleared Mateta’s rebound right off the line.
France came out stronger after the break, though. Nkunku finally got them level in the 63rd minute with a cool, curling finish into the far corner after cutting inside. Five minutes later, Maghnes Akliouche sprinted down the right, whipped in a low cross, and Jean-Philippe Mateta tapped in for his first international goal on his first-ever start.
But Iceland didn’t crumble. Barely two minutes later, they hit back. Kristian Hlynsson raced through on a counter and slotted past Maignan to make it 2-2, and the crowd went absolutely wild. From there, it was end-to-end stuff.
France piled on the pressure but wasted chances. Khéphren Thuram missed a sitter, and there was a scare late on when Maignan slipped, almost gifting Brynjólfur Willumsson a winner. France had nearly 70% possession and 20 shots but somehow couldn’t finish it off.
France are definitely not happy with the result and bullishly posted on their X handle that they will be back to finish what they started in November and secure World Cup qualification.
They Posted:
Ólafsson was immense in goal six big saves, maybe the best game of his career so far. Iceland held their shape, defended deep, and just refused to give in.
The result keeps France top of Group D with 10 points, still unbeaten but now feeling the heat from Ukraine. Iceland, meanwhile, grab their second point in three matches and move up to third, with 4 points. Not bad for a night’s work against one of the world’s best sides.
