Gylfi Sigurdsson says progressing to the last 16 of the World Cup with Iceland would trump coming top of one of Europe’s toughest qualification groups to reach the finals.
With their population of just 334,000, Iceland became the smallest nation ever to earn a place at a World Cup last October when they topped a six-team European qualification group ahead of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. The 2-0 victory over Kosovo that sealed top spot and their place in Russia saw fireworks let off from the roof of the Laugardalsvöllur national stadium in Reykjavík, sparking wild celebrations across the country.
Iceland drew 1-1 with Argentina in their World Cup opener on Saturday and now face Nigeria (Friday, 4pm) and Croatia (Tuesday, June 26, 7pm) looking to secure the points that will see them through to the knockout stages of a second successive major international tournament. And Sigurdsson, who impressed against the South Americans, insists doing so would prompt even greater joy back in his homeland.
“Getting to our first World Cup is an incredible achievement because we were in a tough qualification group with Croatia, Turkey and Ukraine, and to win the group was outstanding.”He said