´It shouldn´t happen to us´ – Deschamps laments costly defensive lapse in Iceland draw

Didier Deschamps was left frustrated with France’s defending as they let a lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Iceland in World Cup qualifying.

Victor Palsson had given Iceland the lead against the run of play, but Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta scored quickfire second-half goals to turn things around.

However, two minutes after the latter hit the back of the net, Kristian Hlynsson netted an equaliser to end France’s 100% start to qualifying.

France are now unbeaten in the last seven matches in which they conceded the first goal, drawing four of those games (W3).

Les Bleus stay top of Group D and have not lost yet, but Deschamps has demanded better from his side when trying to hold onto all three points.

“We were leading 2-1. What makes me angry is the way we conceded the second goal,” Deschamps complained to TF1.

“We were open, we were high when we had just scored. We are positioned very high, badly positioned. And it was very quickly after taking the lead.

“So maybe it’s a bit of a slackness, but it shouldn’t happen to us. It prevents us from winning this match.”

France dominated in Reykjavik, having 20 shots, nine of which were on target as they accumulated 1.8 expected goals (xG).

In contrast, they gave up just four chances to Iceland, worth 1.2 xG, but the hosts scored with both of their attempts on target.

Nkunku was also left unimpressed by France’s lapse in concentration and insisted they will improve on that for the next international break.

“We had a moment of inattention, and once again we paid for it in cash,” Nkunku told TF1.

“We tried to come back to the score, and that’s what we did. What we had to do better was to stay focused after the goal, which we didn’t do. So, we’re going to correct that.”