Iceland's Cinderella Story Continues as They Stun England
Fairy-Tale Campaign Makes Iceland National Heroes
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson Gives Iceland a 2-1 Lead Against England
Iceland's dream run at EURO 2016 continued on Monday as they shocked England 2-1 in the round of 16. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson gave Iceland the lead in the sixth minute, and Ragnar Sigurdsson doubled their advantage in the 18th minute. Wayne Rooney pulled one back for England in the 4th minute of second-half stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.
The victory sends Iceland to the quarterfinals, where they will face France on Sunday. It is the first time that Iceland has ever reached the quarterfinals of a major tournament.
For England, the defeat is a major disappointment. They were one of the favorites to win the tournament, but they have now been eliminated in the round of 16 for the second consecutive time.
The match was played in front of a sell-out crowd at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. Iceland took the lead early on when Sigthorsson headed home a cross from Birkir Bjarnason. Sigurdsson then doubled their lead with a powerful header from a corner kick.
England struggled to create chances in the first half, but they came out with more purpose in the second half. Rooney pulled one back for England in the 68th minute with a header from a cross by Raheem Sterling.
England continued to press for an equalizer, but they were unable to find a way through Iceland's defense. The Icelanders held on for a famous victory, and they will now face France in the quarterfinals.
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