Iceland’s soccer Vikings fought back from a goal down to beat England 2-1 at Euro 2016 in one of the biggest shocks in the sport’s history that forced the immediate resignation of England coach Roy Hodgson.
Wayne Rooney put England ahead from the penalty spot inside five minutes in Nice, France. Seventy-five seconds later, Ragnar Sigurdsson equalized and in the 18th minute, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson set England on the way to humiliation.
England never looked like getting back into the game and virtually the whole team slumped to the ground when the final whistle went. Iceland’s players and fans erupted with joy at the nation’s greatest sporting moment.
Photo: EPA
Hodgson, 68, after the game announced his resignation in a statement.
“I am extremely disappointed, of course, about tonight’s result and ultimately our exit from the competition. We have not progressed as far as I thought we were capable of and that is obviously not acceptable,” he said.
Amid wild celebrations, Iceland took the last quarter-final place and are now to face host nation France in Paris on Sunday.
England’s performance ranks alongside some of the most dismal at major tournaments. England already feature on the list of shame with their 1-0 defeat to an amateur US side at the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
Man-of-the-match Sigurdsson, who scored Iceland’s opener, said England’s over-confidence was behind their humiliating defeat.
“They thought this would be a walk in the park, but we had faith in our ability,” Sigurdsson said.
England, ranked 11th in the world, were left cursing a blunder by goalkeeper Joe Hart that led to the second goal by the world 34th-ranked Iceland, the smallest nation to appear at a major tournament. Sigthorsson’s tame shot squirmed past Hart for the winner.
Raheem Sterling was fouled by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson to lay on Rooney’s penalty into the left corner to crown his 115th England appearance, which tied David Beckham’s record for an outfield player.
However, barely 75 seconds later, Iceland were level. A trademark Aron Gunnarsson long throw-in reached Kari Arnason, who headed on, and Sigurdsson volleyed the ball in from close range.
Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson worked the ball to Sigthorsson and with England’s defenders standing off, the Nantes striker rolled a shot goalward that Hart did not get close to.
Former England captain Gary Lineker called the result “the worst defeat in our history,” adding on Twitter: “England beaten by a country with more volcanoes than professional footballers. Well played Iceland.”
Another former England captain, Alan Shearer, said the England performance was “pathetic.”
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