Iceland 0-3 Belgium
Belgium blew Iceland away in tonight’s UEFA Nations League in Reykjavik thanks to two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a penalty converted by Eden Hazard.
Roberto Martinez has a wealth of talent at his disposal, so Iceland vs Belgium predictions were very much in favour of a Red Devils victory. And that’s how it turned out. The visitors were far too good for a spirited but depleted Iceland side, dominating for long periods of the game and looking every bit serious contenders for Euro 2020.
Highlights of the game
Belgium had just flown up to Iceland after having swept Scotland aside 0-4 in a nice warm-up at the weekend, but they expected a tougher challenge against Iceland, particularly after their hosts had been uncharacteristically hammered by Switzerland.
They did face a more resolute and well-organised team, but in the end were simply too good. It just took a while to for them to get going, and then there was no stopping the Red Devils.
As the Viking thunderclap chants reverberated around the Laugardalsvollur Stadium, Iceland had the best chance of the opening exchanges. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson raided down the right wing and crossed low for Gylfi Sigurdsson, but the Everton man’s shot skidded wide.
Slowly but surely, Belgium started to find their rhythm and worked out that they’d profit against this Iceland side by getting wide and crossing into the danger areas. The in-form Romelu Lukaku was just about to head a cross home, but he was pole-axed by Birkir Bjarnason and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson famously saved a penalty against Argentina in the World Cup, but Eden Hazard managed to do here what Leo Messi failed to do in Russia and beat the Qarabag stopper with a cool finish.
And minutes later, one became two when Dries Mertens whipped in a cross for Vincent Kompany. Though Halldorsson got in the way of the header, Lukaku picked up the rebound to poke the ball just over the line from close range.
As Iceland tried to get back into the game, Belgium played some keep-ball to go in 2-0 up at the halftime break.
The early stages of the second half didn’t provide much respite for Iceland as the Red Devils passed the ball around with ease. Thomas Meunier shot just wide on 58 minutes and then the PSG man came closer five minutes later when he took a pass from Lukaku. This time, his shot came back off the post.
Iceland were still in the game, just, and Gylfi Sigurdsson tried to inspire a comeback, unleashing a shot towards the top-left corner which Thibaut Courtois saved.
But that was just a brief interruption to Belgium’s dominance. Meunier came close again, and a third goal looked on the cards. When it came on 81 minutes, it was from the same source as the second, with Mertens supplying Lukaku, and the Manchester United striker fired low and true into the corner.
Key statistics
Our pre-match SBOBET tips backed a game with over 2.5 goals and the handicap spread suggested a two-goal margin. Iceland put up a fight but, in this form, Belgium are an irresistible force.
After a bright start from the hosts, Belgium took control of the first half, finishing with 72 per cent possession and eight shots to two. Iceland doubled their tally to four by the final whistle but Belgium ramped up the pressure in the second half, with 20 shots in total.
That’s seven wins in eight now for Belgium, but none in eight for Erik Hamren’s Iceland.
What’s next?
In recent years, Iceland has developed a talent for pulling off surprise results against elevated opposition. But the magic seems to have temporarily left them. After the first round of UEFA Nations League 2018 results in Group A2, they are rock bottom.
When things aren’t quite going for you, a win can work wonders. But the Icemen have picked France away as their next challenge. Oh well; you have to test yourself if you want to improve. And if they do improve, they may be in with a chance of exacting revenge on Switzerland back home in Iceland. Erik Hamren will hope to have some key players back from injury.
It’s all looking bright for Belgium, though, and Roberto Martinez’ team welcomes Switzerland at home in October before playing an improving Netherlands in a friendly.
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