France concedes a draw at the last minute against Iceland (1-1) despite a goal from Melvine Malard

A small false note to end this group stage. Faced with the Icelandic on Monday, the French have long believed to succeed with a full card with a third victory in three matches. But they had to concede a draw due to a penalty awarded following the intervention of the VAR at the last second of the game (1-1). A score of no real consequence since Les Bleues were already guaranteed to finish in first place in Group D. They will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals next Saturday (kick-off at 9 p.m.).

Everything had however started very well, thanks to the two best Tricolores of this meeting. Well served by Clara Matéo, Melvine Malard scored the fastest goal of the competition, after just 43 seconds of play. place of Marie-Antoinette Katoto injured in the knee and withdrawal for the rest of the competition. And to the detriment of Ouleymata Sarr, her replacement during the first two meetings.

A questionable defense

For the third time in three matches, the French have managed a very good start with a quick opener. This is the big positive point of this meeting despite an overall performance that was not completely successful. Admittedly, the Blue could have made the break several times, as on the deflected strike of Sandy Baltimore on the bar (55th) or that diverted from Grace Geyoro on the post (67th). They also saw two goals denied them for an offside by Malard (68th) and for a handball by Geyoro (88th).

But the team was a little too feverish in defense. Particularly on set pieces, phases of play which allowed the Icelanders to be far too often dangerous. Pauline Peyraud-Magnin notably missed two aerial outings. Before Ouleymata Sarr accidentally causes a penalty, beyond the added time granted (+ 6 minutes) on an involuntary trip on Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir (90th + 8). Dagny Brynjarsdóttir transformed it (1-1, 90th + 12). Thus depriving France of a seventeenth consecutive victory.

The essentials were already acquired for the Habs, too bad for the 3/3. This draw, Iceland’s third in Group D, does not allow the selection of Hannes Halldórsson to continue the adventure. In the other evening match, Belgium got the better of Italy (1-0) and finished second. The Belgians will face Sweden in the quarter-finals on Friday.