Down 1-2 at home with less than one minute left of normal time Iceland managed to secure a 3-2 win over Finland in the most dramatic fashion with a goal, that probably should not have stood, in the very last seconds of stoppage time.
Iceland went down in the 21st minute when Finland’s number 10, Teemu Pukki scored. Iceland defender Kári Árnason equalised with a header in the 37 minute but Iceland was behind again just two minutes later when Robin Lod scored with shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Iceland’s midfield maestro and best player on the night, Gylfi Sigurðsson, missed a penalty in the 51st minute of the second half and it looked like Iceland was loosing its first competitive game in Reykjavík since June 2013. But in the 90th minute striker Alfreð Finnbogason stepped up and headed home a fantastic cross from Gylfi.
Four minutes of stoppage time came up on the lightboard and with the whole Laugardalsvöllur stadium roaring the Icelandic team went in for the kill.
Following a short corner Gylfi crossed into the penalty area where Kári leapt like a salmon and managed to head to Ragnar Sigurðsson, his partner in the heart of the Icelandic defense, who bundled to ball towards the goal. After a goal-mouth scramble the Norwegian referee signaled a goal. The Finish players completely lost their heads, mobbed the referee insisting that the ball had not crossed the line. The goal stood and the Icelandic players and fans celebrated wildly. Moments later the referee whistled full time. You can watch the goals here.
It’s easy to understand the Finish team’s frustration as the ball did not cross line before striker Alfreð Finnbogason seemed to kick it out of the hands of the Finish keeper. Football can sometimes be a very cruel sport.
Vielä kerran Islannin voittomaali. #Huuhkajat pic.twitter.com/7LLhzD3iBP
— Oskari Karppinen (@oskarikarppinen) October 7, 2016
This was the second round of FIFA’s World Cup qualifiers. The World Cup will be held in Russia in 2018.
Iceland play Turkey in Reykjavík on Sunday on game day three in Group I, which is made up of Iceland, Finland, Ukraine, Kosovo, Turkey and Croatia.
Last evening Turkey drew 2-2 against Ukraine while Croatia smashed Kosovo 0-6, with the latter team playing their first home game.
Iceland and Croatia top the group, both with four points.
The game on Sunday is sold out but here are three of the best spots in Reykjavík to experience the game on a big screen in good company.
English Pub
English Pub tailors directly to the die-hard sports fan that desires a great atmosphere, a cold beer, and some good food. Get to English Pub from 16.00-19.00 to enjoy their happy hour.
English Pub, Austurstræti 12, 101 Reykjavík
Kex Hostel
Housed in an old biscuit factory in downtown Reykjavik, Kex hostel offers a great place to chill and watch football, while enjoying a cold lager or a specialty ale. One of our favourite places in the capital.
Kex Hostel, Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík.
Lebowski Bar
Support your favorite European team, while enjoying “the dude’s” favorite drink, a White Russian, at the great Lebowski Bar. The bar offers a great place to watch a game, while also enjoying a burger, great chicken wings, onion rings, or a delicious shake.
Lebowski, Laugarvegur 20, 101 Reykjavík
Ölver Sports Bar
A true sports bar that is sure to provide a great atmosphere for all the games. Ölver has a full service bar with all your favorite beers on tap, in addition to a popular food menu that provides the perfect meal for game time. Most importantly, there isn´t a bad seat in the house as Ölver has 3 large projection screens as well as a number of flat-screen televisions that are positioned at all corners. This honest and unpretentious bar is located on the ground floor of a small shopping mall in Laugardalur valley, within 10 minutes by car from downtown Reykjavík.
Ölver, Álfheimar 74, 104 Reykjavík
Down 1-2 at home with less than one minute left of normal time Iceland managed to secure a 3-2 win over Finland in the most dramatic fashion with a goal, that probably should not have stood, in the very last seconds of stoppage time.
Iceland went down in the 21st minute when Finland’s number 10, Teemu Pukki scored. Iceland defender Kári Árnason equalised with a header in the 37 minute but Iceland was behind again just two minutes later when Robin Lod scored with shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Iceland’s midfield maestro and best player on the night, Gylfi Sigurðsson, missed a penalty in the 51st minute of the second half and it looked like Iceland was loosing its first competitive game in Reykjavík since June 2013. But in the 90th minute striker Alfreð Finnbogason stepped up and headed home a fantastic cross from Gylfi.
Four minutes of stoppage time came up on the lightboard and with the whole Laugardalsvöllur stadium roaring the Icelandic team went in for the kill.
Following a short corner Gylfi crossed into the penalty area where Kári leapt like a salmon and managed to head to Ragnar Sigurðsson, his partner in the heart of the Icelandic defense, who bundled to ball towards the goal. After a goal-mouth scramble the Norwegian referee signaled a goal. The Finish players completely lost their heads, mobbed the referee insisting that the ball had not crossed the line. The goal stood and the Icelandic players and fans celebrated wildly. Moments later the referee whistled full time. You can watch the goals here.
It’s easy to understand the Finish team’s frustration as the ball did not cross line before striker Alfreð Finnbogason seemed to kick it out of the hands of the Finish keeper. Football can sometimes be a very cruel sport.
Vielä kerran Islannin voittomaali. #Huuhkajat pic.twitter.com/7LLhzD3iBP
— Oskari Karppinen (@oskarikarppinen) October 7, 2016
This was the second round of FIFA’s World Cup qualifiers. The World Cup will be held in Russia in 2018.
Iceland play Turkey in Reykjavík on Sunday on game day three in Group I, which is made up of Iceland, Finland, Ukraine, Kosovo, Turkey and Croatia.
Last evening Turkey drew 2-2 against Ukraine while Croatia smashed Kosovo 0-6, with the latter team playing their first home game.
Iceland and Croatia top the group, both with four points.
The game on Sunday is sold out but here are three of the best spots in Reykjavík to experience the game on a big screen in good company.
English Pub
English Pub tailors directly to the die-hard sports fan that desires a great atmosphere, a cold beer, and some good food. Get to English Pub from 16.00-19.00 to enjoy their happy hour.
English Pub, Austurstræti 12, 101 Reykjavík
Kex Hostel
Housed in an old biscuit factory in downtown Reykjavik, Kex hostel offers a great place to chill and watch football, while enjoying a cold lager or a specialty ale. One of our favourite places in the capital.
Kex Hostel, Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík.
Lebowski Bar
Support your favorite European team, while enjoying “the dude’s” favorite drink, a White Russian, at the great Lebowski Bar. The bar offers a great place to watch a game, while also enjoying a burger, great chicken wings, onion rings, or a delicious shake.
Lebowski, Laugarvegur 20, 101 Reykjavík
Ölver Sports Bar
A true sports bar that is sure to provide a great atmosphere for all the games. Ölver has a full service bar with all your favorite beers on tap, in addition to a popular food menu that provides the perfect meal for game time. Most importantly, there isn´t a bad seat in the house as Ölver has 3 large projection screens as well as a number of flat-screen televisions that are positioned at all corners. This honest and unpretentious bar is located on the ground floor of a small shopping mall in Laugardalur valley, within 10 minutes by car from downtown Reykjavík.
Ölver, Álfheimar 74, 104 Reykjavík
