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Brynjar Gunnarson / AP
England’s Raheem Sterling scores from the penalty spot in England’s 1-0 Nations League win over Iceland in Reykjavik.
Four years later, England have somewhat given up on one of the most embarrassing results in their football history.
Raheem Sterling converted a penalty in the first minute of second-half stoppage time as England beat little Iceland 1-0 in their opener of the Nations League group stage on Saturday (Sunday, New Zealand time ) in Reykjavik.
However, there was still time for Iceland, a Nordic nation with a population of 330,000, to earn a penalty of its own seconds after the restart.
However, Birkir Bjarnason missed the goal, allowing the England players to breathe a sigh of relief.
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In 2016, England was humiliated by losing 2-1 to Iceland in the round of 16 of the European Championship, a score that the country that invented the game is still struggling to survive.
With England’s players well below match sharpness for this match, failing to beat Iceland would not have come anywhere near the shock levels of four years ago, but the visitors were still highly favored to win in an empty stadium. in Reykjavik.
Brynjar Gunnarson / AP
England captain Harry Kane (C) after missing a scoring opportunity against Iceland.
Aside from a goal from Harry Kane in the seventh minute that was incorrectly ruled offside (VAR was not being used in the game), England were not close to scoring until Sterling had a shot blocked by Sverrir Ingi’s arm. Ingason. he received a second yellow card and was sent off.
Brynjar Gunnarson / AP
England fullback Kyle Walker leaves the field after receiving a red card against Iceland.
That evened the team’s numbers, as Kyle Walker was sent off in the 70th minute for a second yellow card. The Manchester City right-back became the first England player to receive a red card in a competitive match in eight years.
Sterling scored from the spot, only to have Joe Gomez fouled in England’s box after fighting for a high ball in the box just after the restart.
Bjarnason advanced tall and wide.
