Portugal were favourites to win their opening game and looked on course after Nani’s early goal, but defensive lapses allowed Island to crawl their way back as Birkir Bjarnason scored his team’s equalizer earning their first ever points at the European Championships.
Island made a great start and almost punished the Portuguese when Gylfi Sigurdsson forced a save from Rui Patricio.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s men completely dominated the game and had 26 shots to Island’s four and
Nani could have scored as his header was saved brilliantly following a pinpoint cross from Cristiano Ronaldo in the first half who himself had several chances.
The minnows were looking out of their pretty bleak in the first half in which Nani deservedly put Portuguese in front around the half hour mark after a wonderful piece of play from Andre Gomes and Vieirinha. Portugal went into the break with a deserved lead.
Early in the second half portugal were forced to pay for their poor marking as Bjarnson had plenty of time to adjust for his volleyed goal.
A game which everyone expected Portugal to win ultimately ended in a draw and after Austria’s win against Hungary , they were the favourites to win this group. The result leaves Portugal with plenty of work to do.
