Iceland vs Bulgaria 3-0

Iceland beat Bulgaria 3-0 in Reykjavik, with Orri Steinn Óskarsson scoring twice and Mikael Ellertsson adding a late third. The home side took control after half-time and turned a one-goal lead into a clear win.

Óskarsson opened the scoring in the 37th minute, finishing from Hákon Arnar Haraldsson to make it 1-0. Iceland led 1-0 at the break.

Óskarsson doubled the lead on 60 minutes, turning in Mikael Anderson’s assist for his second of the match and 2-0. Iceland had made two changes at the interval, sending on Andri Guðjohnsen and Daniel Leo Gretarsson, then went again with two more on 62 minutes as Gylfi Sigurðsson and Victor Pálsson came on. Bulgaria made two changes on 55 minutes and two more on 67 minutes, but the gap only widened when Ellertsson made it 3-0 on 90 minutes from Óskarsson’s assist. Iceland also had a missed penalty on 84 minutes, when Óskarsson failed to convert.

The numbers were close in possession and passing, with Iceland on 52% and 419 passes to Bulgaria’s 48% and 417. Iceland had the edge in shots, 10-9, and were far more accurate, putting 6 on target to Bulgaria’s 3. They also won 9 corners to 1 and committed 11 fouls to Bulgaria’s 14, while both sides were caught offside once and each goalkeeper made 3 saves.

There were four bookings in a busy first half. Hörður Magnússon and Mikael Ellertsson were booked for Iceland in the 4th and 32nd minutes, while Lukas Petkov and Dimitar Velkovski were shown yellow cards for Bulgaria in the 10th and 27th minutes. Atanas Iliev and Marin Plamenov·Petkov were also booked for Bulgaria in the 59th and 80th minutes. There were no red cards.