World Cup 2018: Iceland leave Russia with the pain of defeat as Heimir Hallgrimsson considers his future

It could be the end of an era for the Icelandic team which has made back-to-back major tournaments

“I was hoping this wouldn’t be our last game.”

In the bowels of the Rostov Arena after a late Croatia goal knocked Iceland out of the World Cup, Gylfi Sigurdsson had a sort of thousand yard stare on his face, a mixture of the usual exhaustion you see after talking to a footballer shortly after a match, combined with a sadness of what might have been.

Not long before, with 15 minutes remaining of what would turn out to be their final game in Russia, Sigurdsson was lining up his second penalty in two games. The first hadn’t gone well, launched into the stands against Nigeria, a miss that ultimately didn’t cost Iceland given they lost that game 2-0, but must have played on his mind as he stepped up. Sigurdsson again went for the high approach, but got it low enough this time, the ball hoofed into the roof of the net. That takes a set of stones.

For a short time, there was hope. That made it 1-1 against Croatia, then a few moments later in St Petersburg, Marcos Rojo scored to put Argentina ahead against Nigeria. At that stage, one more goal would have been enough. One more goal would have seen this tiny nation, at the World Cup for the first time, through to the second round. One more measly goal.

But they couldn’t break through, and eventually the inevitable happened, as Ivan Perisic thrashed home a winner that saw Iceland on the plane home.

“We’re very proud, by far the smallest nation to reach the World Cup,” said Sigurdsson after the game. “It’s bittersweet, because we were so close to reaching the last 16. The second half performance against Nigeria, not being able to finish off the game…” he tails off slightly. “We had a lot of chances tonight.”

You had the faint sense that this might be the end of an era for Iceland. There have been suggestions that manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, the part-time dentist seven years into his time with the national team, five of which have been as co-manager and the last two, sole manager after former job sharer Lars Lagerback departed, could move on after this tournament.

Sigurdsson gave Iceland hope with his penalty kick (Getty ) (Getty)

Sigurdsson couldn’t really blame him. When the example of Chris Coleman is put to him, who of course left the Wales job, eventually for a disastrous spell as Sunderland manager, and it’s suggested that the grass isn’t always greener, Sigurdsson said: “It’s easy to say that, but as a manager you want to test yourself, with a club at a higher level. If you’re not ready to take those risks, you shouldn’t be a manager or player.

“He’s been fantastic. He’s carried on the hard work from before, just kept it simple. The players are very professional, so he trusts us to see our families, to train when we’re back in Iceland. He’s very tactically aware of the opposition, a lot of energy.”

For his part, Hallgrimsson said after the game he had “the best job in the world”, but was non-committal when the subject of his future came up, giving an answer that could serve both sides of the argument, depending on which you favour. "I don't want to talk about it, really,” he said. “I'm so proud, not just of the players but also the staff, the training team, everyone with the FA, I'm in the best job in the world and have very good people around me…We have to sit down and digest what the next step will be, both for the FA and me.”

Whether he stays or goes, Hallgrimsson has done exceptional things with this side, and should he depart he will presumably do so with the blessing of all involved. This might be the end of an era, but what an era it has been, making the quarter-finals of the European Championships two years ago, and now the World Cup.

At some point, when they have come to terms with the defeat and departure, these players will be proud of what they achieved. But looking into Sigurdsson’s eyes, that realisation might take a little while yet.