In what has been one of the greatest upsets in the history of the European Championships, Iceland put on a stunning fightback after going a goal down via a Wayne Rooney penalty.
The Nordic Islanders scored twice in 14 minutes via Ragnar Sigurðsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson to destroy England’s hopes of championship glory. England, for all of their possession, could not create any proper chances to score and Iceland held on to their lead till the very end to shock the world and set up a quarterfinal clash against title favourites France.
Roy Hodgson resigns
England manager Roy Hodgson stepped down from his post after 4 years in charge. He led his team into three major tournaments, including the 2014 World Cup, where they finished at them bottom of their group. England got knocked out in the round of 16 stage of their previous European Championship campaign in 2012 as well.
The former Liverpool manager has come under stark criticism for his team selections and tactics over the course of his career as England manager, and the FA released a statement confirming the matter, a part of which read, “We back Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down as England manager and will discuss next steps imminently.”
Hodgson announced his retirement in his post match press conference, saying, “I’m extremely disappointed. We haven’t progressed as far as I thought we were capable of and that’s obviously not acceptable.”
The 68-year-old said that he would have loved to have stayed on for two more years, but he had to be pragmatic, given that this was a results based business. He went on to say, “My contract was up after the Euros. So now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of this young, hungry and extremely talented group of players.”
He went on to thank the media, his staff and ended his statement by apologising for yet another early exit.
“I’m sorry it’s had to end this way with another exit from a tournament but these things happen and all I can do is wish everybody all the very best and hope that you will still be able to see an England team in a final of a major tournament fairly soon…we’ve been unable to do it. Thank you very much.”
Heimir Hallgrimsson claims Iceland can get even better
Even after pulling off the greatest win in the history of Icelandic football, coach Heimer Hallgrimsson insisted that his side were capable of producing more. According to RTE, he said, “We’ve been improving slowly and, in my opinion this was our best game yet but we still haven’t shown what we can do. Hopefully, our best game is yet to come.”
The 49-year-old insisted that this victory would change the mentality of his side, saying, “Now that they have gone through this hurdle, every obstacle in their way now is going to look smaller. That changes their mentality.”
Disgruntled English fans took to Twitter to voice their anger and disappointment at their team’s inability to beat Iceland.
One way or the other, England is hellbent on leaving Euro-pe
— Nikhil Sapre (@NikhilSapre_) June 28, 2016
So that’s what the premier league without immigrants is like :> #EngVIce
— aminewithnoe (@AAElazri) June 28, 2016
Queen Victoria is not amused by what you have become, England pic.twitter.com/iNGXFvgLNC
— Mohamed El Baroudi (@lebaroude) June 28, 2016
When you try to change your laptops password to “England Defence” pic.twitter.com/2dByrscRXc
— MQ (@__Mohs) June 28, 2016
How can the richest league in the World produce an England team who are serial tournament flops ? Something radical has to change.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) June 28, 2016
my daughter said to me tonight “how can you be disappointed? You literally wrote the book on Why England Lose” #Soccernomics
— Stefan Szymanski (@sszy) June 28, 2016
JOB VACANCIES UK:
– prime minister
– leader of the opposition
– England football manager— Old Soldier (@OMGTheMess) June 28, 2016
England we are going to run out of things to exit from at this rate!
— English Cad (@englishcad) June 28, 2016
Dreadful stuff from a manager getting paid 5 million pounds not to field a question after the match. @England #accountability #EURO2016
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) June 28, 2016
What’s the difference between England and a teabag?…
…A teabag stays in the cup for longer.
— Harry Styles (@Harzy_Styles_) June 28, 2016
After today’s match, won’t be surprised if some European immigrants take up the jobs of a few England players.
— Nikhil Sapre (@NikhilSapre_) June 28, 2016
England can’t catch a break lately pic.twitter.com/bhCFzIR3hn
— Brendan McInnis (@BrendanMcInnis) June 28, 2016
England, as a country, should just retire at this point. #IcelandicBurn
— Amy Berg (@bergopolis) June 28, 2016
England’s new national anthem pic.twitter.com/26qqaw3kpB
— Titanic Goals (@TitanicGoal) June 28, 2016
Me after England’s shocking performance tonight pic.twitter.com/0cWnVwCqjP
— Benjamin Hubble (@Benjamin_hubble) June 28, 2016
England players obviously all voted leave…
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) June 28, 2016
Your vote will decide England’s future. Please retweet @Lord_Sugar #England pic.twitter.com/The4fGI8yT
— ali hasan (@alihasan_4648) June 28, 2016
“England leaving Europe twice in a week” Im not even that shocked
— Maruf (@LordMaruf) June 28, 2016
Look, if England are serious about beating the might of Iceland in the future then we know just the coach…#ENGISL pic.twitter.com/v4aOs3NoR7
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) June 27, 2016
If football was won based on the buzz of media hype, England will be on an undefeated streak since the microphone was invented.
— Fams (@SimpleFams) June 27, 2016
Just heard there is an online petition to play the game again. Eleven signatures thus far. #Brexit #EngVIce
— Cornelius O Sullivan (@ComedianConn) June 27, 2016
#England overpaid nonces pic.twitter.com/K6taB6Z8KN
— Benjamin Hubble (@Benjamin_hubble) June 28, 2016
#EngVIce I bet England are glad the Eurovision is not on this weekend
— Shane Russell (@shanerussell159) June 27, 2016
They don’t seem to want to have anything to do with Europe at all at all these days, do they? #EngVIce
— irishmammies (@irishmammies) June 27, 2016
Brexit is now complete. #EngVIce
— Mark Richardson (@markmywordsCGW) June 27, 2016
England are losing to a country with a population of just over 3 times the capacity of Wembley stadium #perspective #EngVIce
— Mathieu Norry (@MathieuOnRadio) June 27, 2016
Poor Steve,
Steve McLaren with one of the greatest moments in televison history… #ENGICEpic.twitter.com/I3dLdRxK98
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) June 27, 2016
Caught in camera: Hodgson’s team selection process pic.twitter.com/ZgSX0ver9K
— Yonny (@Yonny1975) June 27, 2016
If proven quality is uppermost on the criteria to replace Hodgson the shortlist for England manager might not feature any Englishmen.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes) June 27, 2016
Alan Shearer is literally fuming! “Worst England team he’s ever seen”
— Thomas Parker (@TomParker) June 27, 2016
Alan Shearer says he was turned down by England in the past. Who’s next? #ENGICE https://t.co/RWh1sRf4wX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 27, 2016
Gary Lineker summed up what every England in the world must be feeling like, right now.
The worst defeat in our history. England beaten by a country with more volcanoes than professional footballers. Well played Iceland.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 27, 2016
This is actually sad lol https://t.co/eo3psEsim4
— Alex Hunter (@Abs_Mu) June 28, 2016
What a sad, sad day for @England football. #EURO2016 #ENGICE
— Sol Campbell (@SolManOfficial) June 27, 2016
I saw on the side of a bus recently that if we sack off the England football team £350 million will go to the NHS
— Christopher King (@thischrisking) June 27, 2016
This England football team is a poo
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) June 27, 2016
Two jobs every brit thinks he can do, Prime Minister and England football manager. Both will be open to candidates tomorrow.
— Kiel Porter (@kielporter) June 27, 2016
