Iceland vs. Cymru | 2025 European Under-21 Championship – Qualifying competition – GrpI

MATCH SUMMARY

The pressure of the penultimate Group I match in what has been an impressive qualifying campaign for the Cymru U21 side did not phase Matty Jones’ side in Reykjavík as two goals from Joel Cotterill sealed a valuable 2-1 victory over Iceland

Cymru started the much better of the two teams with a strong wind behind them and Cotterill was unlucky not to hand the side an early lead. Joel Colwill also came close before captain Fin Stevens rattled the upright from the tightest of angles as Iceland struggled to deal with the high-press and intensity of their opponents.

A string of yellow cards revealed the extent of the frustration for the home side as Cymru continued to control matters. However, with the score still level, Iceland eventually began to make more of an impression on the game and created a couple of half chances of their own. The Cymru defence, marshalled by the commanding presence of Joe Low, held firm though as referee Miguel Nogueira brought the opening half to a close.

Cymru started the 2nd half in style as Cotterill converted with a fine strike past goalkeeper Lukas Petersson on 47 minutes. Iceland went in immediate search of an equaliser but struggled to adapt to the conditions in the same way as their opponents and continuously squandered possession and opportunities in the final third. Cotterill, Colwill and Josh Thomas were denied by Petersson on the hour mark as Cymru looked to double their advantage.

The second goal eventually arrived on 72 minutes as Cotterill, Colwill and Thomas all combined in midfield to release Cotterill and he made no mistake to score his second of the match. Iceland’s efforts to bring themselves back into the match became more and more futile as the game slipped away from them, until Oskar Borgþorsson scored an injury-time goal that would prove to be nothing but a late consolation.

The final whistle confirmed that Cymru stay level with group leaders Denmark while opening up a five point advantage over their opponents.

GOAL!

A scrappy goal allows substitute Oskar Borgþorsson to pull a goal back for the home side. Cymru need to focus now.

Cymru just running down the clock with a couple of late substitutions, it’s been a superb performance from Matty Jones’ side tonight.

It’s now or never for Iceland as Cymru will open a five point lead on their opponents if they claim the victory this evening. The home side are certainly pushing to reduce the deficit but Cymru are holding firm as goalkeeper Ed Beach plucks a corner from the air with ease.

What a feeling!

GOAL!

A superb team goal from Cymru as Joel Cotterill scores his second of the game to make it 2-0. Great build-up play from Cotterill, Josh Thomas and Joel Colwill to double the lead.

Zac Ashworth delivers a cross into the area

Joel Cotterill so close to a second for him and Cymru but Lukas Petersson makes a good save for the home side.

There’s been a fifth goal for Denmark against Czechia as Mathias Kvistgaarden makes it 5-0 to the home side on 87 minutes. A big result for the group leaders.

Luca Hoole plays the ball out of defence

Joe Low looks on

HALF-TIME VERDICT

Cymru have controlled long periods of the opening half with Joel Cotterill, Joel Colwill and captain Fin Stevens all coming close to giving their side a deserved lead. Matty Jones will be delighted in how his players have applied themselves, but with a strong wind in their favour, they may rue not making the most of their possession and turning those chances into goals. Iceland ended the half as the stronger side, and they will look to build on their improving display with the wind at the backs in the 2nd half.

Oliver Sørensen has added a third goal for Denmark and Czechia now find themselves 3-0 down. It’s a big result for the home side in what is a very tight group.

Cymru have made things difficult for Iceland in this opening half

Cymru definitely enjoying having the strong wind in their favour in this opening half, it will be a very different challenge in the second 45 minutes though.

So close! Captain Fin Stevens hits the post from the tightest of angles. Another big chance for Cymru in this huge Group I match.

Joel Colwill comes close to opening the scoring but his effort is blocked. Cymru enjoying a decent spell of pressure and will be desperate to make it count.

A great chance for Joel Cotterill but he drags his shot wide from close range. That’s a big moment for Cymru early in the match.

The Cymru players line-up for the national anthem

We’re off! Cymru kick-off with a strong wind blowing around Víkingsvöllur. How the conditions affect the football we will soon find out.

Josh Thomas presents a gift to Iceland goalkeeper Adam Ingi Benediktsson ahead of kick off following the red card incident in the reverse fixture ♥️#U21EURO | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/DpC6gnaLBj

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) September 10, 2024

TIGHT AT THE TOP

This is the penultimate match of a long qualifying campaign for Cymru which started back in June 2023 with an impressive 2-2 draw with current Group I leaders Denmark.

It’s still all to play for in UEFA U21 EURO qualifying for the finals that will take place in Slovakia next summer with just two points separating Denmark, Cymru and Iceland before tonight’s fixtures.

Denmark are currently in action at home to Czechia in a match that kicked-off just a few minutes ago and we will keep you updated right here on events in Vejle throughout the evening. Cymru complete their campaign at home to Czechia next month.

💬 Joe Low 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿@Cymru | @S4Cchwaraeon pic.twitter.com/JCpKaIOs7u

— Sgorio ⚽️ (@sgorio) September 10, 2024

Cymru U21 Head Coach Matty Jones and his squad have arrived at Víkingsvöllur.

Matchday ready 🫡

💻 Match centre 👉 https://t.co/BjAxrorWjp#U21EURO | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/T2XvBdWdtQ

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) September 10, 2024

MEET THE REF

Miguel Nogueira will take charge of the UEFA U21 EURO qualifier between Iceland and Cymru in Víkingsvöllur, Reykjavík later today.

The 30-year old official has recently refereed UEFA Champions League qualifiers as well as the fixtures in the UEFA Youth League last season and was the Fourth official when Denmark defeated Cymru 2-0 at the UEFA MU17 Finals back in May. The Portuguese also refereed the group stage match between Czech Republic U17 and Serbia U17 at the tournament.

He will be assisted by Pedro Martins and Paulo Brás while Bruno Miguel Carmo Vieira is the Fourth Official. All of the match officials are from Portugal.

DIWRNOD Y GÊM 🇮🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Our penultimate #U21EURO qualifier in Reykjavík 💪#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/9GsKJB8IPN

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) September 10, 2024

While a lot of attention is on the senior team, the U21 side have an incredibly important game tomorrow!

A win against Iceland tomorrow night would leave them on the cusp of an historical achievement, and belief in the team is growing.@YClwbPelDroed https://t.co/Z15pN2NJEg

— Siôn Misra 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@sionmisra) September 9, 2024

LAST TIME OUT

Joe Low’s first-half header was enough to earn Cymru a 1-0 victory when the sides met at Rodney Parade back in November.

LOW EXCITED BY QUALIFICATION PROSPECT

Joe Low has been a regular inclusion in the senior squad in recent camps but says he’s excited to be back with Matty Jones’ side for a crucial UEFA U21 EURO qualifier.

“It’s been a little while since we were last together,” said Low in his pre-match press conference. “Obviously I’ve really enjoyed my time with the seniors and I’d love to stay with them as long as I can, but we’ve got such a great group with the 21s. It’s always amazing being here because the camps are always good and I always enjoy the laughter amongst the group.

“I think it’s fair to say that the character of this group has shone through in a lot of this campaign as well, if that’s Denmark or Czech Republic away or Iceland at home.

“Matt’s brought us all together so well and we’ve all gelled, which is shown in where we are in the table. We’ve got a great chance to go and be at the top of the group and even win the group, so our togetherness and not fearing any opposition we come up against are definitely factors in why we’re being so successful at the minute.”

Watch Joe low’s pre-match press conference in full on RedWall+.

“PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE” FOR JONES

Matty Jones spoke about the pressure building around his side as the qualifying campaign reaches its climax and the current standings in Group I in his pre-match press conference.

“We allowed our schedule to have the opportunity to watch the Lithuania game because obviously we’re keeping a close eye on Czech Republic, but even equally as important, the Iceland and Denmark game.

“Obviously we’ve done a rapid review and a really intense review then post-game. Clearly there have been changes in terms of a new manager taking over with Iceland, and they’ve given us a hint or examples of how they’ve changed certain things. It’s allowed us to make those adaptions with the players and we’ve been fully on board with that.

“The massive thing for us is to eradicate any pressure and at this stage of any campaign the pressure builds, especially where we sit within the table. One way to overcome that is to prepare your players full of confidence knowing that they’ve got all the detail and every solution to be able to execute the game plan.

“I’ve spoken a lot this week about pressure being a privilege and it really is. This is the type of pressure we’ve been striving for and certainly it’s put us in a great opportunity where we are playing under pressure, and we deserve to play under pressure. All the hard work that’s been put in over the last two years from every member of staff and every player, we deserve to be right here.

“We’re fully prepared and that eradicates the management or dealing with pressure, so hopefully we’ll be able to hit the ground running and our game plan that we’ve put in place and the quality individually and collectively will be enough for us on Tuesday night.”

Watch Matty Jones’ pre-match press conference in full on RedWall+.

A few rainy days of training ahead of the trip to Reykjavík.

CREW JOINS TRAVELLING SQUAD

Charlie Crew, who was named on the bench for Cymru’s senior game against Türkiye on Friday, will now travel with the under 21 squad to Iceland.

JONES BRACED FOR ANOTHER TOUGH TEST

Cymru earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture against Iceland when the two sides met at Rodney Parade in November, despite having to play with 10 men for half hour following Josh Thomas’ red card. A victory on Tuesday would put Cymru on 14 points in the group and see them take a big step towards claiming at least a play-off place, but Matty Jones is expecting another difficult challenge in Reykjavík.

Speaking at his squad announcement press conference, Jones said: “Having the win last year against Iceland, at home with 10 men and holding on for the last 30 minutes, showed a lot of character from our players. They know that if we can’t travel away and show the bravery and courage that we need to showcase within our performance, then unfortunately it’s going to work against that. We’ve got to go to someone’s backyard, we’re going to be fighting for the three points, and we’ll be disappointed if we come away with anything less.”

Read more from Matty Jones here.

PREPARATIONS FOR ICELAND

Matty Jones’ players took part in their first training session on Thursday afternoon. The squad will be based at Dragon Park before flying to Reykjavík on Saturday.

BACK ON CAMP

Cymru U21 are back on camp ahead of their penultimate UEFA U21 EURO qualifier against Iceland.