Rotherham, England, July 19 (BUS): France striker Melvin Mallard scored the fastest goal in the 2022 European Women’s Championship, as France drew 1-1 with Iceland, who became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament despite being undefeated.
Iceland, who previously drew 1-1 with Belgium and Italy, kept their chance in the quarter-finals until the last game in the group, but Belgium’s 1-0 win over the Italians secured them second place in Group D with four points, Reuters reported.
Mallard took 43 seconds to put already qualified France ahead with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, making it the fastest goal in this year’s tournament so far.
Having scored eight goals in the tournament so far, France managed to improve their best-ever total in the group stage with one stroke.
The French dominated the sweltering early stages of the match, as Britain braced for its hottest temperature on record this week.
But Iceland, which had seen a lead in the game with the start of the first half, came close to equalizing in the 11th minute when Svendis Gene Gunsdottir’s header hit the crossbar.
Striker Bergelind Thorvaldsdottir missed another superb opportunity just before the break, receiving the ball from a corner but firing her shot over the crossbar despite being unmarked.
Iceland continued to give it all in the second half, with midfielder Agla Maria Albertsdottir and captain Sara Björk Gunnarsdottir close to scoring.
France, led by Corinne Diacre, one of the contenders for the tournament, then witnessed two goals that were canceled by the video assistant referee.
At first it was Mallard who thought she got the 2PM in the 68th minute but she was judged offside. Grace Giroux scored after 20 minutes, but the goal was disallowed due to a handball.
Iceland, who bagged a penalty in the final minutes, scored a consoling goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time via Dani Bringarsdottir, making history the only team to have exited the Euros despite not losing once.
‘France needs to be more clinical’
“I am very disappointed that we did not qualify, but at the same time I am very proud of the team,” said Iceland defender Glodis Birla Figusdottir.
“I think we played a very good game today, we didn’t lose in the set. But unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”
Iceland’s last-gasp goal ended France’s 16-game winning streak, putting them within equal distance of the record 17 consecutive victories set between August 2011 and July 2012.
“This evening I was able to give the other players time to play, and it went well,” said France coach Diacre. “We did not have (also) new injuries… and that is important.”
“We need to be more clinical. If we can take all our chances, it will be so much better. But what matters is creating chances, if you don’t you won’t be able to score.”
France, who made their dream start to the tournament by beating Italy 5-1 and secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Belgium, will meet the Netherlands on Saturday.
Group D runner-up Belgium plays Sweden on Friday.