Journalism of Courage
Olivier Giroud brace and an overall resounding performance by France at a wet night in Stade de France gave the 2000 winners a comfortable 5-2 win over Iceland. The win helps France progress to the semi-finals where they take on Germany. (Source: Reuters)
The win gave France President Francois Hollande some reason to rejoice in what has been a difficult political climate in Europe. Further the Euros started amid multiple strikes and disruptions but has gone ahead undisturbed. (Source: Reuters)
For the tiny Iceland, the loss means the end of the fairytale which saw them reach the finals and then go past England in the last-16. (Source: Reuters)
Iceland fans have been one of the biggest positives out of the Euro 2016. In terms of behaviour and support, Icelandic fans have been above par. Even after the loss, the entire lot stayed inside the stadium and chanted and clapped in celebration with their showing. That is something for them to be proud of. (Source: Reuters)
Olivier Giroud gave France the lead in the 12th minute - their first goal in the first half this Euros. Blaise Matuidi played a long ball behind the Icelandic back four and after beating the defence, Giroud took a lethal shot with his left to send the goal underneath Hannes Thor Halldorsson. (Source: AP)
Paul Pogba doubled France's lead in the 20th minute when the tall striker leaped highest on a Antoine Griezmann corner to head into the corner of the goal. (Source: Reuters)
In the 43rd minute, Dimitri Payet made it 3-0 when his sweetly struck left footed shot found the corner of the goal. The West Ham United midfielder created space for himself from outside the box and calmly scored past the keeper. (Source: Reuters)
Just when one thought Iceland's hapless first half was over, Antoine Griezmann made it four with seconds to spare. The Atletico Madrid striker ran through on a ball from the midfield to calmly chip an on-rushing keeper. The goal was 100th of the Euros and made Griezmann the golden boot (four goals). (Source: Reuters)
Iceland reduced the gap in the 56th minute to highlight their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson slotted in a cross at the near post past Hugo Lloris to make it 4-1. (Source: AP)
Three minutes later, that gap breaker was erased by Olivier Giroud when the striker headed in a Dimitri Payet ball into the net even as the keeper grossly miscalculated the flight of the ball. (Source: Reuters)
Iceland provided plenty of threat with aerial deliveries and powerful headers. One of them came in the 84th minute courtesy Birkir Bjarnason to make it 5-2. (Source: Reuters)
The win gave home fans plenty to be celebrate and a chance to look forward to an expected cracker of a semi-final against Germany in Marseille on Thursday night. (Source: Reuters)
