Iceland hopes back on track

Iceland bounced back from their defeat against Scotland on Saturday with a convincing 3-0 win over EURO 2004™ Group 5 rivals Lithuania tonight.

Gudjohnsen double
The victory handed Iceland their first points of the qualifying campaign, as a double strike from Chelsea FC striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and another goal from Heidar Helguson sealed the win.

Confident start
Lithuania started confidently and had the first chance of the match in the 13th minute, but defender Dainius Gleveckes blasted over following a corner. It took the home side six minutes to respond to the early scare with a powerful attack, Gudjohnsen coming close with a long-range shot which was saved well by Lithuanian goalkeeper Gintaras Stauce.

Turning point
The decisive moment of the match came after 21 minutes when Lithuania's Deividas Cesnauskis was sent off for an altercation with Arnar Vidarsson. Iceland dominated possession for the remainder of the half but could not create a clear scoring chance before the interval.

Helguson opener
Bjarni Gudjonsson sent his 25-metre effort narrowly wide of Stauce's post after 45 minutes of the second period, before Helguson opened the scoring in the 50th minute. Gudjonsson's foray down the right flank produced a delicious cross and Helguson rose highest to head into the near corner.

Penalty miss
Gudjohnsen doubled Iceland's advantage on the hour with a clinical finish, before he struck again 16 minutes from time, skipping past two defenders before blasting the ball into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area. Gudjohnsen could even have completed a hat-trick in the final minute but blasted well over from the penalty spot.