Hannes Halldorsson was the hero for minnows Iceland during their incredible run at Euro 2016 and he continued these feats when World Cup 2018 got under way.
Portugal and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was left frustrated in France two years ago by the Randers goalkeeper. This time, it was the turn of Lionel Messi.
Halldorsson pulled off a string of superb stops during Iceland’s World Cup debut, culminating in a second-half penalty save from the Barcelona icon in Argentina’s 1-1 draw at Spartak Stadium.
KEY STATS
30-SECOND REPORT
Halldorsson was the last line of defence for an expertly drilled Iceland.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson made sure his troops defended with two banks of four, cutting out any passing options for five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi when he dropped deep. But even this tight game plan was not impenetrable.
Halldorsson punched away one Messi rocket in the early stages and dove to his right to gratefully palm away the great man’s poor spot-kick later on. His six saves also featured a fine stop from substitute Cristian Pavon.
GOT RIGHT
SHOWING NO FEAR – Staring down the likes of Ronaldo and Messi is not a familiar feeling for Halldorsson. The 34-year-old’s day job sees him employed by Randers, a mid-table outfit from Denmark’s top flight.
But this lack of familiarity with the big time has not meant he’s done himself a disservice when thrust into the limelight. There wasn’t any reticence from Halldorsson, no matter what Messi and Co threw at him.
His handling was superb throughout and not even Sergio Aguero’s unstoppable 19th-minute goal could shake him.
GOT WRONG
PASSING WAS A PROBLEM – No matter Iceland’s startling progression during this decade, they knew they’d be up against it in spells against the Argentines.
Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason and Everton playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson were likely to be the only true outlets when pressure needed to be relieved.
But this does not excuse a pass-completion of just 39.4 per cent in the Russian capital.
Argentina boasted 78-per-cent possession, which meant Iceland had to be economical with the ball. Aimless punts up the field by Halldorsson will be punished by better opposition.
13 – Since 1966, only Luigi Riva has attempted more shots in a World Cup game (13 vs both Sweden and Israel in 1970) without scoring than Lionel Messi did today against Iceland (since 1966). Shocker.#ARGISL #ARG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rhnROlfewx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2018
SPORT360 VERDICT
Halldorsson comes alive at international level, acting as the symbol of Iceland’s defiance.
His team-mates must have drawn inspiration from his antics in keeping out Messi and refusing to be cowed by Aguero’s unstoppable goal.
Remarkably, he’s faced 21 attempts on goal by Messi and Ronaldo in successive tournaments. The men who’ve held an iron grip on the Ballon d’Or during the past decade have not been able to force a way through.
A script even part-time film director Halldorsson would have struggled to conjure.
RATING – 9/10
