It is the end of the road for Iceland at the UEFA Women’s EURO after they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Switzerland on Saturday while Austria held France to a 1-1 draw.

In the 33rd minute at the Stadion De Vijverberg in Doetinchem, Iceland got the first goal in their match against debutants Switzerland through Fanndís Fridriksdóttir. Unfortunately their celebration was short lived as Lara Dickenmann secured Switzerland’s equaliser two minutes before the break.

Player of the Match, Ramona Bachmann then put Switzerland in front seven minutes into the second half as they held on for their maiden win at a Women’s EURO finals, while Iceland’s hopes of making back to back quarter finals hung in the balance.

Speaking after their loss, Iceland coach, Freyr Alexandersson, said:
“Maybe I will have a double espressotomorrow – or a triple – but it will still be hot and the grass will still be green and we will keep on going, but this is football, just football. When you lose in a competition like this, you feel everything is bad and it is impossible to face up to anything, but that is not life.”

Iceland’s exit was only confirmed after France and Austria played out a 1-1 draw in the other group C match decided at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht.

Lisa Makas became the first person to score against France in this EURO campaign after 837 minutes which includes qualifying.

Her goal put Austria in the lead in the 27th minute.

But France drew level six minutes after the break and it was Amandine Henry with the equaliser.

In Group C’s final round of fixtures, Austria take on already eliminated Iceland in Rotterdam on Wednesday, while France entertain Switzerland in Breda on the same day.