France

2.80

• 
  13

  3

  3.00

  Steve Mandanda

  Won’t be France’s No.1 at Euro 2012 but would have wanted to put some pressure on the rested Lloris. A fumbled cross early on was uncharacteristic of his season and showed the nerves he felt on this occasion. Realistically could do little for Iceland’s goals and made a crucial save in the second half.

• 
  31

  1

  3.00

  Adil Rami

  Was undoubtedly the stronger of France’s two centre-backs, though that was not a particularly hard task for the Valencia man, who has been known to be erratic on occasion. Did look a little sluggish on occasion, and grabbed the winning goal when he popped up in a surprisingly offensive role.

• 
  51

  2

  3.50

  Mathieu Debuchy

  Brought his club form into this encounter, showing the same willingness to raid forward as he did for much of the season with Lille and got his reward as he pounced to score from close range. Defensively, he allowed little down his channel, with much of the danger coming from the opposite flank.

• 
  28

  79

  1.50

  Patrice Evra Flop of the Match

  Not a favourite of the French crowd by any means, and the Manchester United man did little to enamour the home fans as his sleepy defending allowed the visitors in to score the opening goal. Was then outpaced as the Icelanders struck their second. A decidedly poor showing, and his position must come into question.

• 
  9

  28

  2.00

  Philippe Mexes

  Captain for the night as Lloris watched on from the stands, and though he made a couple of fine last-ditch interventions, he was at least partly culpable on both goals as he looked sluggish. Has been criticised for a lack of concentration in the past, and Sigthorsson certainly got the better of this duel.

• 
  42

  3

  3.00

  Hatem Ben Arfa

  Recalled to the France squad for the first time since Blanc’s first game in charge, and the Newcastle man looked lively and in the mood to cause trouble. Linked well with the forwards, including Benzema, with whom he has denied a poor relationship. Missed a fine chance just after the break and was soon replaced after a promising performance.

• 
  34

  4

  3.50

  Jérémy Menez

  Denied a first-half penalty as he charged down the left, only for Howard Webb to decide the foul took place just outside the area. Showed the kind of dangerous dribbling that has characterised the tail end of his campaign with PSG.

• 
  10

  34

  2.50

  Samir Nasri

  Offered an immediate riposte after France fell behind, but his shot was deflected just by the post. Struggled to be an effective presence in the final third and was replaced with 30 minutes remaining. Must offer more.

• 
  15

  9

  2.50

  Yohan Cabaye

  The most defensive of France’s midfield three, he struggled to cope with the role he had been given as he was left too exposed in the centre of the park. Got forward on occasion, but was ineffective in his primary task and was ultimately replaced.

• 
  26

  8

  3.00

  Yoann Gourcuff

  A controversial selection in the France pre-selection squad, the Lyon man was effectively auditioning for a part in the Euro 2012 squad. Distributed the ball well, but around the box he failed to make a telling contribution.

• 
  72

  4

  3.50

  Karim Benzema

  Slammed the ball into the net after 14 minutes with a terrific finish on the edge of the box, though this was disallowed for offside. Although the Real Madrid had strayed on that occasion, he would be wrongly flagged off when he got in behind legitimately at twice. Showed some wonderful touches around the box. Replaced after a good hour.

Substitutions

• 
  9

  5

  2.50

  Marvin Martin

  Featured for half an hour, replacing Nasri in the second half, but didn’t provide a great deal of spark.

• 
  14

  4

  Mathieu Valbuena

  Invigorated the French attack late on when it seemed to be lagging.

• 
  6

  10

  2.50

  Alou Diarra

  Replaced Yohan Cabaye for 30 minutes at the end, and was greeted by jeers as he arrived on the park. Did an unspectacular job.

• 
  58

  2

  Franck Ribéry

  Given a cameo at the death, and helped to turn the match with a very lively showing, grabbing a fine goal.

• 
  15

  15

  2.50

  Florent Malouda

  Played 30 minutes, arriving for Benzema. Posed a moderate threat down the left flank.

• 
  83

  0

  3.50

  Olivier Giroud

  Given 30 minutes as he replaced the dangerous Ben Arfa. Played superbly, setting up two goals and giving Laurent Blanc a selection problem in attack.

Iceland

0.00

• 
  2

  0

  Hannes Thór Halldórsson

  Wasn’t called into a great deal of action over the course of the match as he was protected well by his defence. Had little chance with any of France’s three strikes.

• 
  1

  1

  Hallgrímur Jónasson

  Struggled to cope with the direct running of Menez, whose pace and trickery and too much for the right-back. Fortunate to escape the concession of an early penalty as he pulled the winger down.

• 
  1

  0

  Hjörtur Logi Valgardsson

  Terrorised down the left-hand side by the combination of Ben Arfa and Debuchy, who raided down his channel impressively. Didn’t look able to contain these players, and it was little surprise that France’s goal came from this area.

• 
  1

  0

  Ragnar Sigurdsson

  Booked in the first half for a rash challenge on Gourcuff, an act that typified his rugged performance, which was determined and immensely brave.

• 
  1

  0

  Aron Einar Gunnarsson

  Was unable to influence matters a great deal down the left in an attacking sense, and even defensively he struggled to curb the threat of the French side, with Debuchy posing many problems down his corridor.

• 
  1

  1

  Eggert Jonsson

  Did well in the heart of the defence, blocking a seemingly countless number of French shots. Defended stubbornly, although the interchanges of the French side posed problems.

• 
  20

  0

  Gylfi Sigurdsson

  The star men of the visiting side over the course of the last season, he was deployed in a more defensive role than has often been the case with club side Swansea. Got a key touch just as Ben Arfa was poised to bring France back into the match and at the other end fashioned a fine opening for Bjarnason.

• 
  1

  0

  Kari Arnason

  Lucky not to concede a first-half penalty when a Gourcuff shot struck his arm, and was also let off the hook on several occasions by an assistant referee who gave him the benefit of the doubt wrongly on at least two occasions. Replaced in the second half.

• 
  14

  0

  Birkir Bjarnason Top of the Match

  Blasted the visitors ahead midway through the first half with a fine finish. Got into some good areas, and one particularly good first-half centre forced Mexes to clear at the last moment. Should have wrapped the game up on the hour mark.

• 
  12

  0

  Kolbeinn Sigthórsson

  Led the Icelandic line and looked a strong figure against the French defence, winning a vital header to set up the opening goal. Soon afterwards he got the second, converting easily from close range. Taken off at the break, having enjoyed a fine showing.

• 
  5

  0

  Rurik Gislason

  Delivered a testing low cross in from the right early in the first period, which was a sign of things to come, as an identical centre midway through the opening period saw Sigthorsson tap home the second.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  Eyjólfur Hédinsson

  Played the second half of this encounter but made little telling impression.

• 
  0

  0

  Ari Freyr Skúlason

  Struggled for his half-hour appearance.

• 
  0

  0

  Helgi Valur Danielsson

  Given the last 25 minutes as France pressed forward and found holes in the Iceland defence.

• 
  0

  1

  Johann Gudmundsson

  Featured for a brief cameo towards the end.