With everything on the line for both sides, the French national team will play their most important match of the year against the surprisingly fresh Iceland side. The Nordic country shocked the world last Monday when they eliminated England in the round of 16, they have this odd tactical approach in which they use every single weapon to win their matches. Just as an example, the only two goals that came from a side throw, were scored by Iceland.
Iceland player Bodvarsson gave a press conference ahead of the match against the French: "I think this will be a more difficult game. France play with more tempo on the ball [than England] and therefore it might be harder to defend. They have a very good change of pace and are quick. They have some good individuals and we just have to be ready for that."
France will have top goal scorer Antoine Griezmann, who has been one of France's top players. Teammate Bacary Sagna is concerned because Iceland is a complete wild card, totally unpredictable: "I don't know what will happen. We have to be aware. It can happen against anyone - it happened against England, it happened against Portugal. They are good teams so it can happen to us too. We have to show that we are superior and that we are ready to fight."
Possible lineups:
France starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Matuidi, Kanté, Pogba; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.
Iceland starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Halldorsson; Saevarsson, Arnason, R. Sigurdsson, Skulason; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, G. Sigurdsson, Bjarnason; Sigborsson, Bodvarsson.
Photo credit: Equipe de France