Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were stunned by tournament debutants Iceland yesterday as a second-half equaliser from Birkir Bjarnason earned the minnows an unlikely 1-1 draw in Euro 2016 Group F.
Bjarnason’s crisp volley five minutes after the break cancelled out Nani’s 31st minute opener and, though it came thoroughly against the run of play, only the Portuguese fans in St Etienne’s Stade Geoffroy Guichard could grudge them their moment of glory.
Portugal controlled the vast majority of proceedings but had only the one strike to show for their efforts.
Ronaldo, who matched Luis Figo’s Portuguese record tally of 127 caps, had chances to mark the occasion with a goal but miskicked and headed weakly on his best opportunities.
The sides sit second and third in the table after Hungary defeated 10-man Austria 2-0 earlier yesterday.
In the next matches on Saturday, Iceland face Hungary and Portugal take on Austria.
Iceland did not look overawed at appearing on the big stage for the first time and captain Aron Gunnarsson set the tone inside 30 seconds by tackling Ronaldo and staring out the prone forward.
Moments later Iceland missed their best chance of the game when Sigurdsson cut inside full-back Vieirinha only to be denied by a smart double save from keeper Rui Patricio.
Iceland were giving everything to match their technically superior opponents but, unable to retain possession, eventually fell back to defend deep in their own half.
With Portugal dominating, chances were inevitable.