Didier Deschamps' men were held to a 2-2 draw by a brave Iceland side in Reykjavik, as an experimental XI floundered under the pressure of their bold opponents, who belied their pre-match underdogs tag. France did score twice, coming from behind in the process, but a lack of concentration allowed the hosts to take a well-deserved point from a breathless encounter.
Within three minutes, Christopher Nkunku had a glaring chance to give France the lead, as the ball fell to him at the back post, but his effort was well-saved.
Iceland enjoyed a fine spell midway through the first half but Michael Olise caused panic in the backline with a wicked free-kick delivery just past the half-hour point, as goalkeeper Elias Olafsson flapped at the delivery and conceded a corner.
But it was a wicked delivery from the home side that proved decisive, as France failed to deal with a free-kick conceded by William Saliba – the ball appeared to get caught under Eduardo Camavinga's foot – and Victor Palsson was alert enough to poke the ball beyond Mike Maignan, prompting a remarkable reaction in Reykjavik.
Before half-time, Jean-Philippe Mateta's shot from point-blank range was cleared off the line, after Olafsson saved a fine header from Michael Olise.
On the hour mark, Nkunku had another huge chance, again at the back post, again from a set-piece, but his effort was wild, and flew high into the Icelandic night. He would not be denied, and within minutes, he equalised, as he cut in from the left flank and fired into the bottom corner.
France completed their comeback in the 68th minute, as substitute Maghnes Akliouche found Mateta, who finished from close-range, scoring his first France goal.
Amazingly, within 60 seconds, Iceland were level again, as Albert Gudmundsson sprang beyond the offside trap and fed Kristian Hlynsson, who powered a finish high into the roof of the net.
Both sides felt they could win the game, but neither were able to do so, as Iceland held out to earn a valuable point.
GOAL rates France's players from Laugardalsvöllur…
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Mike Maignan (4/10):
Beaten all ends up by Palsson's finish but he should have been more proactive at the set-piece, as he appeared glued to his line. Didn't do well enough to close the space before Hlynsson's goal, and then slipped on the ball, almost gifting the hosts a third. A heart-in-mouth night.
Jules Kounde (4/10):
Abandoned his position and was made to pay for it, as Iceland capitalised to score their equaliser.
Dayot Upamecano (4/10):
As useless as the rest of his team-mates at clearing the low free-kick that saw France fall behind. Flat-footed as Iceland broke through to score their second, too, and committed a very clumsy foul in the second half which could easily have seen him carded. Careless.
William Saliba (5/10):
Needlessly conceded the free-kick that led to Palsson's goal and was nowhere to be seen as Iceland scored their second. So assured in the Premier League, but he looked nervous here.
Lucas Digne (6/10):
Shot at goal from the halfway line and only narrowly missed. Had a couple of good opportunities in the final third but was less effective defensively.
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Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):
Couldn't clear Iceland's corner, and was directly at fault for Iceland's lead. Booked for stopping a promising counter-attack. Good on the ball, as ever, but out of possession, there was much to be desired.
Manu Kone (6/10):
Got on the ball when he could but played a more defensive role. Did so effectively throughout, and was perhaps France's best defence-minded player on a topsy-turvy evening.
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Florian Thauvin (6/10):
Put in a brilliant cross at the end of the first half but Olise was unable to convert. Almost scored with an overhead kick. A busy display, but not everything came off. Subbed for Akliouche.
Michael Olise (7/10):
Forced an excellent save before half-time with a fine header. Always dangerous, always trying to make something happen.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (6/10):
Spurned a good early opportunity and allowed Palsson's finish to roll past him, despite him being positioned on the correct side to clear. Shot at the end of the first-half was cleared off the line but finally scored in the second half to finally give Les Bleus the lead. He's not Mbappe, though, is he?
Christopher Nkunku (7/10):
Should have scored within a minute but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Missed a sitter at the back post on the hour mark but dusted himself down to cut inside from the left and fire a world-class equaliser into the bottom corner. Subbed.
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Maghnes Akliouche (7/10):
Off the bench and found Mateta with a brilliant cross to give France the lead.
Khephren Thuram (6/10):
Replaced Camavinga. Slotted into midfield as France began to wrestle back control.
Kingsley Coman (6/10):
On for Nkunku. A couple of promising dribbles down the flank came to nothing.
Hugo Ekitike (N/A):
On for Mateta on 88 minutes. Bizarre that it took so long for him to be introduced.
Didier Deschamps (4/10):
This wasn't a vintage France performance by any means. The attack looked largely toothless at times – France created five big chances but only scored two – and the defence looked jittery against Iceland's brave press. He will surely claim that France win this game nine times out of ten, but this was the outlier, and a weakened team selection feels like the main culprit.
