England vs Iceland LIVE: Result and reaction as Jon Thorsteinsson goal gives visitors memorable win
Gareth Southgate’s men play their final game ahead of this summer’s tournament, which begins with a fixture against Serbia on 16 June
England were beaten 1-0 by Iceland in their final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2024. With Gareth Southgate naming his 26-man squad on Thursday there was a feeling of anticipation ahead of the clash at Wembley to see what the Three Lions’ younger players could produce.
The answer wasn’t much. Cole Palmer, starting on the right side alongside Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon, was a livewire in the early stages but Iceland were the ones to open the scoring. A sharp move from Hakon Arnar Haraldsson in midfield saw the ball slipped through to Jon Thorsteinsson who cut inside and drilled a low shot through the legs of John Stones to beat second-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the near post.
That goal shocked Wembley and England who looked to respond. Harry Kane fired over the bar, Phil Foden slotted an effort wide and Palmer messed up a one-on-one. There was a lack of ruthlessness and creativity in the final third.
Gareth Southgate’s men head to Germany on the back of a defeat which he’ll hope will spur them on to better things come the start of the tournament.
Relive the action below:
HT: England 0-1 Iceland
The teams are back in the tunnel as the second half looms.
It was only the first half of a friendly, so you can’t make any concrete conclusions yet, but Southgate won’t be happy with England’s end product.
Ezri Konsa comes on for John Stones at half-time.
HT: England 0-1 Iceland
HT: England 0-1 Iceland
An interesting half for all the wrong reasons, really.
England should be level in fairness, with Harry Kane missing a chance that he probably converts nine out of ten times. But overall England haven’t carved out enough chances against an Iceland side that has been happy to sit back deep.
And on the two occasions where the away side have countered at pace, England have conceded a goal one and a great chance on the other.
England 0-1 Iceland
HALF-TIME! Another decent chance for Iceland. Thorsteinsson wins the ball off Palmer near the England box and drives into the area before cutting the ball back to Traustason. Guehi makes a great block to turn the shot behind for a corner.
England clear, and Ingason is then booked for bringing down Guehi as the home side countered. Shortly after, the referee brings an interesting half to an end.
England 0-1 Iceland
43 mins: An excellent touch from Gordon as he brings the long pass down from over his shoulder. His surges into the box beforer his cross is turned behind for a corner.
Rice’s corner is too close to the goalkeeper.
England 0-1 Iceland
41 mins: Iceland try the early through ball into the space behind the defence, but Ramsdale sweeps it up well. The away side are enjoying a bit of possession as we approach half-time.
England 0-1 Iceland
40 mins: Gordon beats one man down the left and swings in a cross, but it’s headed away fairly easily.
England 0-1 Iceland
37 mins: Iceland try to press high but England escape it easily, with Stones finding Mainoo in acres of space. Rice tries to thread a reverse pass through, but it’s intercepted, and moments later Kyle Walker fires a wild cross out for a throw on the other side.
England 0-1 Iceland
34 mins: Lovely skill from Foden as he takes a first-time flick to get it through the legs of the defender, but England can’t capitalise.
The home side have the ball once more though, with Palmer beating his man before his cross is cleared.
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