Romania are ranked 34th in the world by FIFA and head into Thursday night’s UEFA Euro 2020 playoff game ready to take on an out of form Iceland in Reykjavik.
Iceland are the world’s 41st ranked side. They are coming off of back to back losses in the UEFA Nations League to England and Belgium. The Icelanders were the break out team at Euro 2016 and went on to play at their first World Cup in 2018.
Jæjjjjja ... 🙄#fyririsland pic.twitter.com/CkumljBmpM— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) October 6, 2020
Jæjjjjja ... 🙄#fyririsland pic.twitter.com/CkumljBmpM
Since the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Iceland have blown hot and cold. They ended Euro 2020 qualifying in good form in 2019 going three-games unbeaten against Turkey, Andorra and Moldova. However, they began the UEFA Nations League with losses.
Iceland nearly drew England but a missed penalty in the 90th minute sent them to a 1-0 loss. Days later, Belgium thrashed Iceland 5-1.
Romania started UEFA Nations League play well in September. However, it should be noted that the Romanians are playing in League B while Iceland are in the more difficult League A.
Manager Mirel Radoi led his side to a 1-1 draw versus Northern Ireland and 3-2 win versus Austria in September. Radoi will have his team ready for Iceland and hopeful they can continue their excellent form.
Romania and Iceland have played just two times in their histories. Those games came in 1996 and 1997, however, in World Cup 1998 qualifying. Romania outscored Iceland in those two games 8-0. Iceland are a far different team in 2020 than they were in the 1990s.
Radoi has a squad made predominately of domestic players. Ludogorets striker Claudiu Keseru is the team’s leading scorer with 13 international goals in 37 appearances.
Midfielder Ianis Hagis of Rangers is one of the national side’s highest profile players heading into the game. He is a goalscoring midfielder capable of creating chances for teammates.
Iceland are led by Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson. The midfielder has 22 career international goals. AIK striker Kolbeinn Sigborsson goes into the game with 26 career international goals in 57 appearances.
The teams’ history of games – two played in the 1990s – will have no effect on the fixture. Iceland may have a slight advantage playing at home, but for the most part, the teams are evenly matched.
Thursday’s playoff may need extra-time as the two teams finish in a score draw. Expect under 2.5 goals as scoring is in short supply in Reykjavik.