World champion France fully capitalized on Iceland's defensive deficiencies and lack of imagination to demolish the North Atlantic nation 4-0 in qualifying for the 2020 European Championship on Monday.
France had the upper hand in all areas and could have scored more in the second half if not for its forwards' profligacy in front of goal.
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World champion France fully capitalized on Iceland's defensive deficiencies and lack of imagination to demolish the North Atlantic nation 4-0 in qualifying for the 2020 European Championship on Monday.
The team that beat Moldavia 4-1 over the weekend was unchanged. Giroud, Mbappe, Griezmann and Blaise Matuidi started up front in a 4-3-2-1 system.
Iceland, which has only one win in its past 17 games, struggled to move the ball outside its own half and its sole chance of the first half came from a set-piece.
Mbappe made it 3-0 with a clean finish in the 78th after collecting a subtle through ball from Griezmann, who completed the rout six minutes from time on the break. Griezmann was set up by a splendid backheel from Mbappe with his back to defenders.
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, passes the ball for the opening goal next to Iceland's Kari Arnason during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Samuel Umtiti, left, celebrates with France's Olivier Giroud, right, after scoring his side's first goal during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Raphael Varane, center left, jumps for the ball with Iceland's Kari Arnason during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
France's Kylian Mbappe, right, falls after a tackle by Iceland's Hordur Magnusson during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, challenges for the ball with Iceland's Hordur Magnusson during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Antoine Griezmann attempts to stop the ball during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Layvin Kurzawa, left, challenges for the ball with Iceland's Kari Arnason during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Benjamin Pavard, left, challenges for the ball with Iceland's Gylfi Sigurdsson during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
Defender Samuel Umtiti scored the opener in the first half and Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann completed the win after the interval.
France's Kylian Mbappe scores his side's 3rd goal during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
The team that beat Moldavia 4-1 over the weekend was unchanged. Giroud, Mbappe, Griezmann and Blaise Matuidi started up front in a 4-3-2-1 system.
Iceland played cautiously with a deep defensive line but could not soak up the pressure. France took the lead after 12 minutes when Mbappe found Samuel Umtiti with a fine cross from the left headed home by the center back, who was unmarked in the box.
Giroud came close to making it 2-0 six minutes later but his header from close range was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson, and Mbappe fire a low shot inches wide after a sudden burst of speed left defenders frozen in the 25th.
France's Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing an opportunity to score during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
Iceland, which has only one win in its past 17 games, struggled to move the ball outside its own half and its sole chance of the first half came from a set-piece.
After the break, Benjamin Pavard, Griezmann and Matuidi, fluffed attempts at goal.
Giroud then scored his 35th international goal to become France's outright third highest-scoring player ahead of David Trezeguet, making the most of a botched clearance from Halldorsson to poke the ball into the net with his thigh.
France's players celebrate their team's opening goal during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
Mbappe made it 3-0 with a clean finish in the 78th after collecting a subtle through ball from Griezmann, who completed the rout six minutes from time on the break. Griezmann was set up by a splendid backheel from Mbappe with his back to defenders.
In other Group H matches, Turkey crushed Moldovia 4-0, and Albania won 3-0 at Andorra. With two wins in as many games, France leads the group level on points with Turkey.
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France's Samuel Umtiti, right, celebrates with France's Antoine Griezmann after scoring his side's first goal during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, passes the ball for the opening goal next to Iceland's Kari Arnason during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Samuel Umtiti, left, celebrates with France's Olivier Giroud, right, after scoring his side's first goal during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Raphael Varane, center left, jumps for the ball with Iceland's Kari Arnason during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
France's Kylian Mbappe, right, falls after a tackle by Iceland's Hordur Magnusson during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, challenges for the ball with Iceland's Hordur Magnusson during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Antoine Griezmann attempts to stop the ball during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Layvin Kurzawa, left, challenges for the ball with Iceland's Kari Arnason during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
France's Benjamin Pavard, left, challenges for the ball with Iceland's Gylfi Sigurdsson during the Euro 2020 group H qualifying soccer match between France and Iceland at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Monday, March 25, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)