France 2-1 Iceland: Mbappe & Barcola secure tough comeback, Tchouameni sees red

Kylian Mbappe is now ahead of Thierry Henry on France’s list of all-time top scorers as Didier Deschamps' side beat Iceland 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup qualifier.

Match Report

Aurelien Tchouameni was sent off midway through the second half at the Parc des Princes, where Andri Gudjohnsen thought he had snatched a last-gasp leveller, only to be frustrated by a VAR review.

Iceland took an unlikely lead when Gudjohnsen netted from close range in the 21st minute, following Michael Olise’s error. 

However, France responded on the stroke of half-time as Mbappe scored from the spot after the hosts were awarded a penalty when Marcus Thuram was fouled by Mikael Anderson. 

France completed the turnaround through Bradley Barcola’s simple finish just after the hour, before Tchouameni's red card for a dangerous challenge on Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson catapulted the game into uncertainty. 

The visitors thought they had registered a late equaliser when Gudjohnsen bundled past Mike Maignan, but VAR deemed that a foul was committed on Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.

Les Bleus’ tight win puts them top of Group D with maximum points from their two matches.

Data Debrief: Just Giroud to beat for Mbappe

Real Madrid star Mbappe is now on 52 international goals, which trails only Olivier Giroud (57) in France's all-time charts.

Not only did Mbappe score, but he also grabbed the assist for Barcola's winner. His 16 touches in Iceland's box and five shots, meanwhile, saw him lead the game in both metrics.

France have now won their last five World Cup qualifiers, their longest winning streak in such matches since Opta began recording such data in 2010. They are also unbeaten in World Cup qualifiers since June 2019.

And despite Iceland's late flurry, France will feel they were worthy winners, given they accumulated 3.15 expected goals (xG) to Iceland's 0.64.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' Mbappe gets the ball inside the box, turns around and has a shot saved

11' Anderson's low shot is saved easily by Maignan

16' Olise gives a wonderful pass but Thuram's shot is saved

19' Mbappe has a corner and Thuram's header is wide

21' GOAL! Huge mistake from Olise to gift the visitors! France 0-1 Iceland

33' Thuram and Kone's shots are saved by the keeper

37' Match Event for France vs Iceland

45' Penalty Goal! Mbappé scores the equalizer! France 1-1 Iceland

47' Thuram has a shot from tight angel which is blocked

53' CLOSE! Olise curls a shot which hits the bar!

62' GOAL! Mbappe assists Barcola to turn it around! France 2-1 Iceland

68' Red Card! Aurélien Tchouaméni sent off

78' Highlight from France vs Iceland

Line-ups

France XI: Maignan, Thuram, Theo, Mbappe, Upamecano, Konate, Kounde, Tchouameni, Manu Koné, Olise, Barcola

Subs: Digne, Brice Samba, Rabiot, Coman, Lucas, Pavard, Khéphren Thuram, Lucas Chevalier, Hugo Ekitiké, Gusto, Maghnes Akliouche

Iceland XI: Victor Pálsson, S. Ingason, Daníel Leó Grétarsson, Mikael Anderson, Elías Ólafsson, Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson, Mikael Egill Ellertsson, Ísak Jóhannesson, Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Andri Gudjohnsen, Daníel Gudjohnsen

Subs: Hjörtur Hermannsson, Anton Ari Einarsson, Sævar Atli Magnússon, Willum Thór Willumsson, Logi Tómasson, Thórir Jóhann Helgason, Hákon Valdimarsson, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Bjarki Bjarkason, Brynjólfur Willumsson, Kristian Hlynsson, Gísli Thórdarson