Reading’s Vanhaevermaet on target as Belgium and Iceland battle out draw in Manchester | OneFootball

Reading midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet scored a penalty as Belgium drew 1-1 with Iceland at The Academy Stadium in Manchester this afternoon.

In sweltering hot Manchester, Iceland had much of the early possession, however, they struggled to fashion any clear-cut opportunities. Belgium also found it difficult to break down a resolute Icelandic backline with Janice Cayman being the only one causing Sandra Sigurðardóttir any trouble with her effort from close range. The keeper was able to stick out a leg and deny the Red Flames the lead.

The Nordic nation were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when, following a VAR review, Davina Philtjens was judged to have handled in the area. Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir stepped up and drilled her penalty low to the keeper’s right but Nicky Evrard read it will, diving the right way to gather the ball safely.

The sides went in level at the break but that soon changed once they came out for the second half.

Sveindís Jónsdóttir nearly gave Iceland the lead in the first minute of the half following a powerful, driving run down the left. She shrugged off the defenders and forced her way into the penalty area. Her low shot looked destined for the bottom corner but Evrard stuck out her left leg at the last moment to block the shot.

However, she was merely postponing the inevitable. Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir with a twist and turn on the left created the space to stand one up at the back post providing Þorvaldsdóttir the perfect chance to redeem herself for that missed penalty. The forward towered over everyone to get her head to ball and direct it past Evrard.

Iceland then began piling on the pressure and looked certain to get their second goal shortly after. Yet, they gifted Belgium a penalty when Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir brought down Elena Dhont in the area, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

Up stepped Reading midfielder Vanhaevermaet who coolly slotted the penalty past Sigurðardóttir to tie the game.

Belgium thought they had the opportunity to win the game late on when Cayman was played through and rounded the keeper only to then be brought down in the area. The referee pointed to the spot, much to the delight of a jubilant Belgian support only to then have it taken away by the assistant referee’s flag. Both teams pushed hard in the dying minutes but neither were able to find that crucial goal.

The draw does neither team any favours for the remainder of the group stage with both of them knowing that three points were there for the taking. Next up for Iceland and Belgium are tough tests against Italy and France respectively on Thursday. Both sides will be seen as underdogs in their ties making a win seem unlikely, although stranger things have happened.