France Slip to 2-2 Draw with Iceland as Mateta Opens His Account in Qualifiers

France’s flawless run in Group D came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 draw away at Iceland. The hosts showed resilience, and France were unable to close out a match they largely dominated.

The match saw goals from Victor Palsson and Kristian Hlynsson for Iceland, while Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta each scored for France. Les Bleus remain top of the group with 10 points from four matches, three ahead of Ukraine, who won their game in the same window.

Dominance, But Missed Chances

France controlled possession and pushed forward with purpose. They attempted 18 shots, half of them on target, while Iceland managed only two shots on goal, and both of them found the net.

Early on, Iceland struck from a set piece. Palsson turned in a low free kick just before halftime after France failed to deal with a delivery. France responded strongly in the second half. Nkunku cut in from the flank and fired low to level the score. Soon after, a flowing move culminated in a cross from Maghnes Akliouche, met by Mateta for his first international goal.

However, Iceland struck back with a quick counter. Hlynsson found space amid France’s push forward and finished past the keeper in the 70th minute to salvage a draw.

France head coach Didier Deschamps admitted frustration at conceding late. He praised the team for “doing the hard part” but said the concentration lapse that allowed the equalizer was unacceptable.

Key Players & Tactical Notes

• Jean-Philippe Mateta made the most of his second international appearance, scoring the go-ahead goal with composure. His movement opened space for teammates and helped France build attacking momentum.
• Christopher Nkunku was influential on the flank, linking play and delivering the cross that led to the equalizer. He completed several key passes and dribbles, showing vision and technical skill.
• Iceland’s approach was pragmatic. They defended in numbers, absorbed pressure, and struck decisively on counterattacks and set pieces.
• France, missing several key players due to injuries, struggled to break down the well-organized Icelandic block in central areas.

Standings and Stakes

With the draw, France delay sealing top spot. They currently sit on 10 points from four matches, just three points ahead of Ukraine, who defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 in the same round.

France now face a pivotal home clash against Ukraine on November 13, 2025. A victory would put them in a strong position to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while a draw or loss could tighten the group standings and increase pressure in the remaining fixtures.