Reykjavik offered France’s Under-21 side a cold reminder that an unbeaten qualifying campaign can still lose its comfort. Gérald Baticle’s team left Iceland with a 1-1 draw on Friday, having led through Mathys Tel before being pushed back for much of the second half by hosts who had already made life difficult for them in the 2-1 first-leg defeat.
France remain unbeaten after seven matches in European Under-21 Championship qualifying, but this was their second draw of the campaign following the 1-1 result in Switzerland in November. It also leaves their position at the top of the group less secure: Switzerland can draw level if they beat Luxembourg, although the Swiss will have played one game more.
Baticle’s starting side included several players short of regular club football, and the lack of rhythm showed in a fragmented, slow first half. France nonetheless found a way ahead in the 31st minute. Christian Mawissa carried the ball forward in transition before Valentin Atangana continued the move. Senny Mayulu rounded Iceland goalkeeper Lukas Petersson and appeared set to score, only for defender David Aronsson to clear on the line. The ball rebounded to Tel, who finished from close range for his 13th goal for the French Under-21s.
The goal did not settle the visitors. Iceland returned after the interval with greater purpose and deserved their equaliser when Daniel Gudjohnsen struck a free-kick in the 52nd minute. From there, the home side created the clearer openings and regularly unsettled the French defence.
Tel could have changed the picture late on, with France believing he should have been awarded a penalty in the 74th minute after a challenge from Julius Mar Juliusson, whose boot caught the forward. Nothing was given, however, and France were unable to restore their lead.
The final result reflected an untidy contest in which Iceland played without fear and France never established sustained control. The Bleuets have preserved their unbeaten record, but the race for first place has tightened after a night when Tel’s clinical touch was not enough to bring three points home.
