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:
Head-to-head
England and Iceland have met six times, the first of which was a friendly in 1982. That game ended in a 1-1 draw, and that two sides didn’t meet again until 2004, when the Three Lions ran out 6-1 winners thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney (2), Darius Vassell (2), Frank Lampard and Wayne Bridge.
The next game between the two was probably the most famous, when Iceland upset the odds to knock England out of Euro 2016 at the round of 16 stage.
The two most recent meetings came in the Nations League, and both went England’s way, with Southgate’s men recording a 4-0 win at Wembley and a 1-0 win in Reykjavik in 2020.
And here are some highlight’s of monday’s game against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St. James’ Park.
A tidy first England goal for Cole Palmer.
And a lovely finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Is England vs Iceland on TV?
With around 30 minutes to go until kick-off, a reminder of how you can watch tonight’s game.
The match takes place at Wembley, with kick off at 7.45pm BST. The game will be broadcast on Channel 4, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can stream the game via Channel 4’s website and app free of charge, with a sign-up via email all that is needed.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Find out all you need to know about tonight’s game below.
Is England vs Iceland on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch
England vs Iceland LIVE
A throwback to a fine Wayne Rooney effort against tonight’s opponents in 2004. England won 6-1 in a warm-up match for that year’s European Championships in Portugal.
Odds & Prediction
Odds
England win 1/12
Draw 7/1
Iceland win 20/1
Prediction
Gareth Southgate should name a mixed side of first choice picks and fringe players he is thinking about taking to the Euros. Whoever takes to the field at Wembley will be hoping to impress and there is enough quality in England’s squad to get the job done comfortably. Iceland will pose more of a threat to the Three Lions’ defence but up top England should thrive and take some confidence with them into the tournament. England 3-0 Iceland.
Some photos of the squad at Wembley ahead of kick-off at 7.45pm BST.
Team news
An interesting selection from Gareth Southgate. In goal, he’s swapped his first- and second-choice ‘keepers, but you’d think that back four will likely be the one that starts the first game against Serbia on 16 June (as Luke Shaw is touted to return only in time for the second group game against Denmark).
In midfield, Declan Rice is a guaranteed starter – does today’s line-up give an insight into Southgate’s thinking in the middle of the pitch? Will he start Kobbie Mainoo while bringing in Jude Bellingham in place of Cole Palmer? It would certainly tally with some fan and expert opinions, though the England boss has repeatedly looked like he’ll favour Conor Gallagher in that third midfielder spot.
In attack, Foden and Kane will certainly keep their places, and you’d have to expect Gordon to drop to the bench in favour of Saka once the Arsenal man has been properly rested.
Nevertheless, an interesting insight into Southgate’s thinking. The substitutions he makes will arguably be even more intriguing.
Team news
Gareth Southgate makes eight changes to the side that beat Bosnia and Herzegovina at the beginning of the week, having decided on his final 26-man squad yesterday.
In goal, Aaron Ramsdale comes in for Jordan Pickford, while in defence, Manchester City duo John Stones and Kyle Walker replace Ezri Konsa and Lewis Dunk.
Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo come into midfield, with Conor Gallagher and Trent Alexander-Arnold moving to the bench.
Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon are chosen in attack in place of Ebere Eze and Jarrod Bowen, while captain Harry Kane starts ahead of Ollie Watkins in attack.
Line-ups
Iceland XI: Valdimarsson; Anderson, Ingason, Gretarsson, Finnsson; Thorsteinsson, Gudmundsson, Traustason, Haraldsson; Gudjohnsen, Bjarkason.
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