Starts but no wins for Victor Pálsson and Darko Churlinov

Germany too strong for Iceland

Iceland and 3,600 of their fans hosted the German national team in the Laugardalsvöllur stadium, with Schalke’s own Victor Pálsson in the starting eleven, playing 89 minutes for the Icelanders.

Hansi Flick’s side took the lead in the fourth minute with a goal from Serge Gnabry. Antonio Rüdiger then headed home Joshua Kimmich’s cross to double the visitors’ lead 20 minutes later. Leroy Sané (56’) and Timo Werner (89’) added goals in the second half to secure a 4-0 win for Die Mannschaft.

Iceland currently sit in fifth place in World Cup qualification group J, on five points. Germany lead the way with 15 points, followed by Armenia on 11. The group winners will qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the runners-up going into the playoffs.

Goalless draw for North Macedonia

Another group J game featured Darko Churlinov and his North Macedonia side, the Royal Blue midfielder playing the first 78 minutes in their 0-0 draw against Romania in Skopje, in front of 5,260 fans.

Blagoje Milevski’s team still has the chance to qualify for the World Cup, as North Macedonia currently sit on nine points in fourth place in group J, with their opponents Romania one place and one point higher.