Click on any stream link below to watch the game.
As the countdown to Euro 2024 intensifies, England's squad has one last opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and secure their spots in Gareth Southgate's final plans. The stage is set at Wembley on Friday evening, where the Three Lions will face Iceland, a team with a memorable history against them, in their ultimate pre-tournament friendly.
Recent Form and Performance
England's Journey
England's recent clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park was a mixed bag. For the first 60 minutes, the crowd witnessed a stifling deadlock, with Southgate's experimental lineup struggling to break through a resolute Bosnian defense. However, a well-taken penalty by Cole Palmer broke the deadlock, leading to a flurry of late goals. Trent Alexander-Arnold, once again showcasing his prowess in a midfield role, delivered a stunning volley, and Harry Kane added a third with a slightly fortuitous effort.
Despite the 3-0 scoreline, the match highlighted some of England's ongoing challenges. Before this victory, the Three Lions were on a three-game winless streak, including draws against Brazil and Belgium. These matches raised concerns about the squad's readiness for the high-stakes environment of Euro 2024. Southgate's men needed a win to restore confidence, and they achieved that, even if not in the most convincing fashion.
Iceland's Preparations
Iceland, on the other hand, arrives at Wembley with a point to prove. Their Euro 2024 dreams were shattered by Ukraine in March, despite a promising start in the playoff final. Albert Gudmundsson's goal gave Iceland the lead, but second-half strikes from Viktor Tsygankov and Mykhaylo Mudryk dashed their hopes. This defeat followed a strong 4-1 victory over Israel in the playoff semi-final, underscoring Iceland's potential to upset stronger teams.
In 2024, Iceland has already secured friendly victories against Guatemala and Honduras. However, their recent history in major tournaments has been less impressive, missing out on both Euro 2020 and the World Cup 2022. Now, they face another challenging fixture against the Netherlands in the Nations League, making the match against England a critical test of their mettle.
Tactical Insights and Key Players
England's Tactics
Gareth Southgate has shown a willingness to experiment with formations and player roles. The utilization of Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield is one such example, adding creativity and distribution from deep. Cole Palmer's emergence as a reliable penalty taker and Harry Kane's continued form are positive signs. However, the defensive solidity and the ability to break down stubborn defenses remain areas to watch.
Southgate's final squad announcement has trimmed the roster to 26, meaning this match against Iceland will be less about experimentation and more about fine-tuning. Fringe players will be eager to make their case, but the core team must demonstrate cohesion and tactical discipline.
Iceland's Strategy
Age Hareide's Icelandic side is known for its resilience and tactical organization. Gudmundsson's attacking prowess will be pivotal, especially against a high-caliber opponent like England. Iceland's ability to counter-attack and capitalize on set-pieces has historically troubled the Three Lions, as seen in their infamous Euro 2016 encounter.
Defensively, Iceland will aim to replicate the first 60 minutes of Bosnia's performance against England, maintaining a compact shape and frustrating the opposition. With nothing to lose, Iceland might also take calculated risks to exploit any defensive laps
