Iceland 1-2 Cymru
- UEFA Under 21 Championship Qualifier
- 10 September 2024
- Víkingsvöllur, Reykjavik
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.
