Former Premier League star Gylfi Sigurdsson scored his first international goal in three years as Iceland thrashed Liechtenstein on Monday night.
The 34-year-old opened the scoring from the spot 22 minutes into the game and added a second shortly after half-time as Iceland ran out 4-0 winners in Reykjavik.
The goals were Sigurdsson's first for the national team since he scored in a 2-1 defeat against Hungary in the final of the Euro 2020 qualifier play-offs in November 2020.
The former Tottenham and Everton midfielder captained Iceland against Denmark in a Nations League fixture three days later in what would prove to be his last international appearance in three years.
The hiatus came to an end last week, when he won his 79th cap for the national side as he came on a substitute against Luxembourg to a rousing reception from the Iceland fans.
'It was hard not to hear, it was already in my warm-up and when I came in,' he told Icelandic outlet Fotbolti.
'I have never received such a reception here, it was an extra wild welcome.'
Sigurdsson's international return comes just two months after he joined Danish Superliga side Lyngby, who are currently sixth in the table.
The midfielder had been without a club since being released by Everton at the end of the 2021-22 season following the expiration of his contract.
Sigurdsson's last competitive game came during a 5-0 loss to Manchester City on the final day of the 2020-21 season, but Lyngby offered him a way back into the game.
Sigurdsson has made two appearances for Lyngby after signing a one-year deal and admitted being surprised by his swift return to international football.
'I think with Lyngby I may have trained fully 10-14 times. It has gone quickly,' he explained.
'I know there is a long way to go and it will probably be a few months before I am in top form.'
Sigurdsson scored 67 goals in 318 Premier League appearances with Swansea, Tottenham and Everton and netted 18 times in 42 games in the Championship with Reading.
Iceland's win over Liechtenstein consolidated their fourth spot in Group J and kept their faint chances of qualifying for Euro 2024 alive.
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
0
But media are not allowed to talk about it
Because he’s a 🧔🏻♂️ man. It’s plain and simple. On top of that though he did play for Everton. Not the biggest club in the prem are they now to be cared about lol. He was never even that good enough of a player to begin with. When he was at Swansea he was okay. Scoring feee kicks time to time. He had sexual interactions with a minor in Iceland. Doesn’t excuse the fact the premier league covered for him. They kept his name away from the public and he just left England quietly and went back to Iceland.
rawbkty
2
Happy to see him back, one of the best midfielders in world... Good luck and come back to who you were... 🔥🔥🔥
Dmoney111
1
Was this guy not in Jail?
But media are not allowed to talk about it
Vedeknpuyz
2
Was this guy not in Jail?
yep that's before
muhbciltuz
1
Was this guy not in Jail?
that's my question too
Leyabcloru
5
Was this guy not in Jail?