France’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was momentarily halted as they played to a 2-2 draw against Iceland. This match took place on October 10, 2023, in Reykjavik and left Les Bleus needing a win to secure an early spot in the tournament.
Key Match Events
France, ranked top in Group D, required a victory and hoped for Ukraine to falter against Azerbaijan. However, they fell behind in the first half when Iceland’s Victor Palsson scored a surprising goal after a free-kick.
- First Half: Victor Palsson (Iceland) scored
- Second Half:
- Christopher Nkunku (France) equalized
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (France) scored on his debut
- Kristian Hlynsson (Iceland) equalized
France’s Comeback Attempts
France fought back in the 64th minute when former Chelsea player Christopher Nkunku curled a shot into the bottom corner. Shortly after, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first international goal, tapping in a precise low cross from Maghnes Akliouche.
Unfortunately for France, their lead was short-lived. Kristian Hlynsson, coming off the bench for Iceland, leveled the score with a well-executed counter-attack around the 70th minute. This moment secured a draw for Iceland.
Group Standings and Upcoming Matches
With this draw, France continues to lead Group D but missed the chance to qualify directly. They are now three points clear of Ukraine, who defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Ruslan Malinovskyi.
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| France | First |
| Ukraine | Three points behind |
France has the opportunity to secure their World Cup qualification in their next match against Ukraine, scheduled for November 13, 2023. This forthcoming encounter promises to be crucial for Les Bleus as they aim to maintain their position at the top of the group.
