For Iceland to have a chance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris a win today against Croatia was crucial. And thanks to a huge performance by Björgvin Pall Gustavsson, Iceland won the game, 35–30. The hope of Paris in the summer lives on for Iceland.
Iceland received two bad news before the game when Omar Ingi Magnusson and Janus Smararson had to call in sick. Things got from bad to worse for Iceland when Ymir Örn Gislason got a red card after 10 minutes and shortly thereafter star Gisli Kristjansson had to leave the game with an apparent foot injury.
The teams went back and forth in the first half. Croatia started well, Iceland picked up their game after a while, and Croatia looked to finish the half 5–0 before Iceland converted on a penalty, making it 18–16 for Croatia after 30 minutes.
The second half was pretty similar to the first one. Neither Björgvin Pall Gustavsson nor Dominik Kuzmanovic started in goal for either side but played great in the second half. With 10 minutes left, Iceland had a three-goal lead. The reason behind that? Sloppy play from Croatia, a chance for Iceland to score via breakaway opportunities, and an amazing Gustavsson in goal.
Iceland won the game 35–30, mostly in thanks to Gustavsson, and the hope of playing in the 2024 Olympics lives on for the Icelandic team. But to do that they need to defeat Austria in the last match of the Main round.