Monday 27 June 2016 19:59, UK
England are huge favourites to beat Iceland in Monday's last-16 tie in Nice, but in order to do so they must break down a stubborn defence.
Euro 2016 minnows Iceland only conceded six times in 10 games during qualifying, and they adopted a similarly defensive approach throughout the group stage, putting bodies behind the ball, keeping their shape and hurting their opponents with counter-attacks and set pieces.
A frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo hit out at their negativity after Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw in St Etienne, where Iceland had just 28 per cent of the possession. "Iceland didn't try anything," he said. "They were just defend, defend, defend and playing on the counter-attack."
Iceland's players and manger Lars Lagerback shrugged off Ronaldo's jibe as they upset the odds to qualify as Group F runners-up, and they are unlikely to approach the game against England any differently.
That presents a challenge for Roy Hodgson's side. England were unable to break down Slovakia's packed defence as they finished the group stage with a goalless draw, and they also found it tough for long periods against Russia and Wales.
Throw in the fact that former Sweden boss Lagerback is unbeaten in six games against England, and suddenly the task looks tougher than expected for the Three Lions.
When it comes to breaking Iceland down, Hodgson's team selection could be decisive - especially up front. Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane are vying to lead the line, and Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier reckons the Liverpool man is best-suited to the task.
We explore the similarities between Iceland and the Premier League champions.
"I think they need to play Sturridge as a start," he tells Sky Sports. "We need as many players in the team that can play one-twos on the edge of the box because Iceland are going to sit in and frustrate. Players who can play in tight areas is the key and Sturridge is one of those who can produce."
Paul Merson agrees, and thinks Sturridge's club team-mate Adam Lallana could also be crucial to creating openings. "I think Hodgson will go with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana because you need players that can get hold of the ball in and around the box," he said. "Sturridge can do that in the inside forward positions."
Kane will also be hoping to return to the side having denied accusations of fatigue this week, but Iceland's set-up is unlikely to suit Vardy. "It's going to be another packed defence," said Merson. "Jamie Vardy needs space to play in behind and I don't think that's going to happen."
It's all about being cool and clinical in and around the box, keeping a calm and clear mind of what's around you.
England's strikers, of course, will be dependent on service from midfield areas. Charlie Nicholas believes skipper Wayne Rooney is the man to step up and pull the strings, but he is unsure whether it's a game for Dele Alli. "It's all about being cool and clinical in and around the box, keeping a calm and clear mind of what's around you," he said.
"I'm not sure Dele Alli has that in him yet but Wayne Rooney certainly should and I'd expect him to step up and produce. He might be starting from a deeper role but if Iceland sit in, which you'd expect, then he'll be able to get forward more and be vital for England."
Iceland are well-organised and comfortable when defending set pieces, with only France winning more aerial duels per game (23.7) at Euro 2016, so England's best chances of creating openings are likely to come from open play.
And after their laboured build-up play came to nothing against Slovakia, England will certainly need to be more incisive with their passing against Iceland. "I think England were a little bit slow in possession and they need to be a bit quicker with the ball on occasions," added Sky Sports pundit Ray Parlour.
"When they win it back, Rooney, [Eric] Dier, have got to be quicker finding Alli in those little pockets of space where the two centre halves cannot come out and mark him. That is where they have to improve a little bit, but the second-half performance was encouraging against Wales. That is how they have to start."
