Iceland Beat England 1-0 in an International Friendly Match
US remains unbeaten against England at the World Cup after goalless draw
Iceland secured a 1-0 victory over England in a surprising result at Wembley Stadium during an international friendly match. The match, which served as a warm-up game for England ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament, saw Iceland, ranked 72nd in the world, take an early lead and maintain their advantage throughout the game.
The decisive goal came from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a quick break and beating England’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with a low shot. Despite England’s attempts to equalize, with captain Harry Kane missing a key opportunity, Iceland’s defense held firm, and they even had opportunities to extend their lead.
The result is a significant upset, particularly given England’s higher ranking and the expectations for their performance in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. The defeat raises questions about England’s readiness and strategy as they prepare to face Serbia in their opening Group C match in Gelsenkirchen.
This was England’s first defeat in a warm-up game since 1968, highlighting the magnitude of the result for Iceland, who did not qualify for Euro 2024. The match was also notable for the introduction of 20-year-old Adam Wharton, who completed all 36 of his passes on his England debut, becoming the only midfielder to attempt 30+ passes on his debut for the Three Lions with a 100% accuracy since Opta has detailed passing data (August 2008 onwards).
The game was England’s final warm-up before Euro 2024, and the result will undoubtedly prompt a reevaluation of tactics and team dynamics as they aim to improve their performance in the upcoming tournament.
