France passed better and shot better, crossed better and tackled better, all of which added up to a comprehensive blowout, 5-2. At halftime, Iceland’s players implored one another to bounce back, to try anything to avoid leaving the tournament in embarrassment. The more lyrically inclined may posit that the torrential rain at the Stade de France washed away Iceland’s magic dust. After the game was over, Iceland’s players stayed on the field for 10, 15, 20 minutes to do the thunderclap chant with the fans one more time. After four games of slow starts, it was the first time France had scored in the opening half of a match.

Source: New York Times July 04, 2016 00:11 UTC