A fairytale 2-1 victory over Austria ensured Iceland a place in the Last 16 after finishing second in their Euro 2016 Group F encounter at the Stade de France.

Heading into the match Iceland and Austria have met just three times previously, Austria won one of those games while the remaining two both ended in a draw.

The most recent fixture between these two side’s came in May 2014 as the sides shared a 1-1 draw, courtesy of a goal each from Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer and Iceland’s Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.

Iceland made their intentions clear in the opening stages of the match as John Gudmundsson’s 25-yard rocket rattled the left-hand post in just the second minute.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hannes Halldorsson almost allowed Marko Arnautovic a great chance at goal, but a desperate challenge from the Icelandic goalkeeper did well to denied the Stoke City striker.

Austria were made to regret their missed opportunity after 19 minutes, when Aron Gunnarsson’s long throw-in was flicked on by Kari Arnason to Bodvarsson, who turned neatly and fired the ball into the back of the net.

As Austria pressed for an equaliser, Ari Skulason fouled Alaba in the penalty area and were awarded a pentalty. Aleksandar Dragovic stepped up to take the spot-kick and clipped the outside of the post. Iceland had the ball in the net just a minute later, through Birkir Bjarnason but the linesman ruled him offside.

Austria had a claim for a second penalty turned down as Marcel Sabitzer was brought down by Skulason. A minute later Arnason had to put his body on the line to deny Sabitzer half-volley strike to keep the scores level.

Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson did well to save Schopf’s thumping effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the substitute made no mistake moments later when he worked his way through Icelandic defence and buried his shot into the corner of the net.

Austrian midfielder Alessandro Schopf and Alaba forced further saves out of Halldorsson as Austria went in search of a late winner.

Four minute into injury time and substitute Arnor Traustason hand Iceland the lead making it 2-1 after a quick break that left Bjarnason in the clear; the substitute unselfishly squared and Traustason slid in to score.

The match ended at 2-1 as Hungary finish top of Group F, Iceland second, Portugal third and Austria fourth. Iceland will now take on England in the knockout stages of the tournament.

PHOTO: Reuters/Darren Staples