Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal for France, but Les Bleus were held 2-2 by Iceland in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. Kristian Hlynsson’s late equaliser denied France, while Germany and Belgium secured wins in their respective group matches
France players wear a dejected look following their draw to Iceland on Monday. Pics/AFP
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal for France, but Les Bleus were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in a 2026 World Cup qualifier clash on Monday.
France — World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022 — dropped points for the first time in four Group D outings. Victor Palsson’s goal (39th minute) gave Iceland the lead at half-time, but Christopher Nkunku equalised for France (63rd min) before Crystal Palace striker Mateta gave them the lead five minutes later.
Iceland’s Kristian Hlynsson celebrates scoring the equaliser vs France on Monday
However, Kristian Hlynsson restored parity in the 70th minute to keep Iceland’s own hopes of qualification alive.
France remain atop their group with two games to go and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine will wrap up top spot. However, coach Didier Deschamps was less than impressed with his charges.
Didier Deschamps
“We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals. We then did what we had to [to get a point], but what’s frustrating is the way we conceded the second goal. We’d done the hard part and then switched off. That shouldn’t happen to us,” said Deschamps.
France were missing several key players, with Kylian Mbappe absent after picking up an injury in the 3-0 win at home to Axerbaijan on Friday. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was also absent along with fellow Paris Saint-Germain forwards Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, while Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni was suspended.
Meanwhile, Nick Woltemade’s header helped Germany beat a plucky Northern Ireland side 1-0 in a Group A encounter in Belfast. The win kept Germany ahead on goal difference to Slovakia, who beat Luxembourg 2-0.
In Group J, Belgium relied on a brace from star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne to down Wales 4-2. Belgium are two points clear of second-placed North Macedonia, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Kazakhstan.
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