Belgium and Iceland opened Group D with a draw (1-1) in a match in which the Nordics deserved more and even missed a penalty. The distribution of points does not serve either of the two teams since they will have to face each other with two rivals that are a priori superior, such as the giants France and Italy.
Iceland entered the match better, with more verticality and control of the game. A fact that was pronounced as the minutes progressed. However, the first more or less clear chance was for Belgium. A forced shot from cayman on the edge of the small area forced the Icelandic goalkeeper to intervene Sigurdardóttir which showed firmness. The Belgians had managed to stretch out a bit on the pitch, but the Nordics warned with more and more danger. Jonsdottir She was being the best of the match and a great individual play of hers could mean the first goal. The Wolfsburg attacker had gone from everyone, but her pass behind her did not find a finisher. Yes, she was able to finish off two minutes later Brynjardóttir a good center Attladottir, although it was too forced and the ball went wide. The arrivals of the Nordic were more and more recurrent and in the 26′ Vangheluwe saved his team by getting ahead of Jonsdottir when this was going to receive a pass of death that was half a goal.
Belgium was being saved and more would be saved. She was running in the 29th minute when a shot from the edge of Jonsdottir bumped into the outstretched arm of Vangheluwe and the Swedish collegiate Tess Olson pointed out a penalty that seemed clear after three minutes of review. Thorvaldsdottir took responsibility, but his shot was too loose and centered to beat evrard, who was even able to block the ball. Far from despairing, Iceland kept pressing and in the 35th minute they were able to score the silly goal of the championship. Brynjardóttir he put his foot on the edge of the small area to avoid a clearance from Neve and the rebound was about to catch the goal. About to reach the break, the Belgians were able to open the scoring thanks to one of the best team plays of the first half, but the shot from the penalty spot by Dhont did not find a goal. He would still have another Iceland before the break, but the score would not move until the second half.
Iceland’s lack of success ended in the 50th minute: a cross measured at the far post by Vilhjalmsdottir found the head of Thorvaldsdottir that he was able to recover from his error in the penalty and put his team ahead. More than deserved award for the Nordics who had already had a clear one in the second half when Jonsdottir He left everyone and his cross shot hit the foot of evrard that she was being the best of her team.
The script in this second half was exactly the same as in the first half: Iceland dominated and Belgium sought to go on the counterattack. The entire game took place in the Belgian area and the Icelandic women had all kinds of chances. Proof of this is that Gunnasdóttir He even dared with a Chilean that did not find a goal after hitting with the shin. It was from this moment that Belgium woke up a bit and advanced lines. He did not need to do much more to find himself with the opportunity to draw: the other Jonsdottir Icelandic (central midfielder) made a mistake and caused an innocent penalty on Dhont that Vanhaevermaet took it upon himself to transform by deceiving Sigurdardóttir. Without getting complicated: through the middle and with the interior. It was minute 67 and a new match was beginning. Belgium cheered and a long shot from wullaert that he left for little showed it.
Even so, Iceland was still superior and each ball into the area was an ordeal for Belgium. However, the Belgians had cheered up with the goal and stepped on the area with more danger. He was about to put his team ahead wullaert in 78′ with a threaded shot that forced one of the game’s interventions to Sigurdardóttir. The arrivals alternated in the final stretch of the game and both teams had their chances, but the score would not move and 1 to 1 would end up being the final result.
A tie that does not help either of them much since they share a group with two powers such as France and Italy. The ones and the others knew the importance of obtaining the three points today to be able to be in the next phase, so the draw does not leave a good taste in the mouth. Especially Iceland who controlled the game and even missed a penalty. In any case, they will have the opportunity to hit the table next Thursday against Italy (6pm) in the case of the Icelanders and against France (9pm) in the case of the Belgians.
DATA SHEET
1 – Belgium: Evrard; Vangheluwe, Kees, De Neve, Philtjens; Vanhaevertmaet; Cayman, Blesmans, De Calgny; Dhont (Eurlings, min.78) and Wullaert (Vna Kerkhoven, min.92).
1 – Iceland: Sigurdardottir; Atladottir, Viggosdottir, Gudrún Arnardottir, Gisladottir; Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Brynjardsdottir, Gunnarsdottir (Albertsdottir, min.85); Vilhjalmsdottir (Johannsdottir, min.91), Sveindis Jonsdottir; and Thorvaldsdorttir (Gudmundsdottir, min.72).
Goals: 0-1, min.49: Thorvaldsdorttir. 1-1, min.66: Vanhaevertmaet.
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden). He admonished Philtjens (min.32) and Vanhaevertmaet (min.85) for Belgium.
Incidents: match corresponding to the first day of group D of Euro 2022 played in Manchester
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