Belgium and Iceland share the spoils in electric encounter

Justine Vanhaevermaet’s penalty equaliser forced Iceland to share the spoils with Belgium in a 1-1 draw at the Academy Stadium.

The first half was a bitty affair in which Iceland aimed to attack the Belgian flanks through Sveindís Jane Jonsdottir, who terrorised the fullbacks with her speed.

The tactic paid its dividends in the 30th minute when the arm of Davina Philtjens blocked a crossed effort by Jonsdottir, and after a VAR review, Iceland were awarded a penalty.

However, Berglind Thorvaldsdottir’s penalty was tame and easily saved by Nicky Evrard.

The best move of the half came late when Belgium’s Tessa Wullaert played a defence-splitting pass to Janice Cayman, whose cut-back found Elena Dhont inside the box, but her shot trickled wide of the post.

The second half started with Jonsdottir once again the centre of attention as she voyaged on another mazy run past the Belgian defence, but her left-footed shot was hit straight into the grateful hands of Evrard.

Eventually, Iceland broke the deadlock through a calculated back post header from Thorvaldsdottir that Evrard was unable to parry away from goal.

However, the goal did not dampen Belgian spirits as Wullaert led the pursuit for an equaliser, dropping deep to ignite opportunities for her teammates.

Then just after the hour mark, Belgium’s Dhont was brought down in the box by a clumsy challenge from Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir, leaving referee Tess Olofssonvno no choice but to award a second penalty of the match.

Reading midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet stepped up to the spot and sent Sandra Sigurðardóttir the wrong way to bring Belgium back on level terms.

Belgium didn’t stop there as they searched for a second, but Iceland’s defence stood firm and were inspired by the acrobatic saves from their keeper Sigurðardóttir.

Iceland substitute Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir had a final opportunity to win but failed to direct her header on target, and the two sides left the match with a point a piece.