Co-favourite, France, mastered the first hurdle at the European Football Championship in England. National coach Corinne Diacre’s team beat Italy 5-1 (5-0) at the start on Sunday and underlined their title ambitions.
France, who were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the last three European Championship tournaments, took the lead in Group D.
Iceland had previously started the tournament with three Bundesliga professionals in the starting eleven with a draw. In the duel with Belgium in Manchester, Iceland drew 1-1 (0-0) and lost the lead.
France made everything clear before the break: The outstanding Grace Geyoro (9th, 41st, 45th), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (12th) and Delphine Cascarino (39th) scored for the clearly superior French. Italy scored a consolation goal in the second half through Martina Piemonte (57′).
Berglind Thorvaldsdottir, who missed a penalty in the 33rd minute, gave Iceland the lead in the 50th minute. Justine Vanhaevermaet (67th) equalized with a converted penalty kick.
Glodis Viggosdottir, Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir (both Bayern Munich) and Sveindis Jonsdottir (VfL Wolfsburg) started for Iceland, while Tine De Caigny from Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim was in the Belgian starting XI.