France narrowly defeated Iceland 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, with Mbappe surpassing Henry in scoring. Iceland’s Gudjohnsen scored but a VAR decision disallowed a late equalizer. France tops Group D with maximum points.
Kylian Mbappe etched his name further into French football history, surpassing Thierry Henry in France's all-time scoring ranks as Les Bleus overcame a stubborn Iceland side 2-1 in a hard-fought World Cup qualifier at the Parc des Princes. The match was far from a straightforward affair for Didier Deschamps' men, who were made to work for every inch against a determined Icelandic team.
The game took a dramatic turn when Aurelien Tchouameni was shown a red card in the second half, adding to the tension in the stadium. Iceland then thought they had secured a sensational late draw through Andri Gudjohnsen, only for VAR to intervene and disallow the goal, much to the dismay of the traveling fans. The Parc des Princes crowd erupted in relief as the final whistle blew.
Iceland initially stunned the home crowd by taking an unexpected lead in the 21st minute. A defensive lapse from Michael Olise allowed Gudjohnsen to pounce and slot the ball home from close range, silencing the Parisian faithful. The goal sent shockwaves through the stadium, but France slowly began to assert themselves.
France responded just before halftime when they were awarded a penalty. Marcus Thuram was clumsily brought down in the box by Mikael Anderson, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot. Mbappe stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.
The second half saw France emerge with renewed vigor. Bradley Barcola completed the turnaround just after the hour mark, finishing off a well-worked move with a composed strike. The goal seemed to settle French nerves, but the game was far from over.
Tchouameni’s dismissal for a rash challenge on Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson injected fresh life into Iceland’s hopes. The sending-off forced France to dig deep and defend resolutely against a late Icelandic onslaught.
In the dying moments, Gudjohnsen sparked wild celebrations among the Icelandic players and staff when he forced the ball past Mike Maignan. However, the joy was short-lived as VAR spotted a foul on Ibrahima Konate in the build-up, leading to the goal being chalked off. The decision was met with protests from the Icelandic bench, but the referee stood firm.
France’s narrow victory secures their place at the top of Group D, maintaining their perfect record with maximum points from their opening two matches. However, Deschamps will know that his team needs to improve if they are to achieve their World Cup ambitions.
The match highlighted the importance of VAR in modern football, with two crucial decisions going against Iceland. While the technology can be frustrating for fans, it ultimately ensured that the correct decisions were made.
Mbappe’s goal not only helped France to victory but also cemented his status as one of the greatest players in French football history. At just 25 years old, he has already achieved so much in the game and looks set to break many more records in the years to come.
Despite the defeat, Iceland can take heart from their performance. They showed great resilience and determination against a far superior opponent and were unlucky not to come away with a point. With a bit more luck, they could well cause some upsets in the remaining World Cup qualifiers.
France will now turn their attention to their next match, where they will be looking to build on this victory and continue their march towards the World Cup. Deschamps will be hoping that his team can produce a more convincing performance and avoid any more unnecessary scares.
This game also served as a reminder that there are no easy games in international football. Every team is fighting for a place at the World Cup, and France will need to be at their best if they are to achieve their goals.
The victory may have been narrow, but it was a vital one for France. They showed their character and determination to come back from behind and secure the three points. With Mbappe leading the way, they will be confident of qualifying for the World Cup.