France ends Iceland’s dream run at Euro 2016

Imagine winning LOTTO MAX! on a Monday and being bankrupt by Sunday.

The highs and lows of Euro 2016 were extreme for Iceland, which entered Sunday’s quarter-final fresh off a historic win over England.

Six days later, Iceland’s dream ended before the halftime whistle here at Stade de France, where the host nation humiliated a side that had captured hearts worldwide.

Feelings of joy for Iceland turned to pity when France scored four early goals to end Iceland’s time at this European Championship.

First-half markers from Olivier Giroud, Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann killed things off before the break, leaving Iceland manager Lars Lagerback with arguably his biggest task yet.

What do you say when you’re trailing 4-0, following a disastrous half in the wake of an unbelievable performance against England? Is pride enough motivation?

Giroud added a fifth early in the second half after Iceland’s Kolbeinn Sigthorsson had pulled one back. Iceland’s Birkir Bjarnason tacked on another off a close-range header. The final 5-2 score line flattered Iceland in many ways.

There were signs, however, that a drubbing was on the horizon. Iceland was on the verge of elimination in its final group game against Austria two weeks ago.

Together with a missed penalty, the Austrians produced 23 attempts at goal that night, striking the woodwork once. Had they converted one of those chances, Iceland wouldn’t have been here.

“I think this was a good reminder that if you play at this level you have to have the right attitude every second,” Lagerback said. “But if you look at the whole tournament, as a newcomer, it has been absolutely fantastic (for Iceland).”

Making it to the last eight at a European Championship was unimaginable just four years ago. And Iceland’s fans showed a touch of class when they applauded as their players emerged after halftime.

While Iceland’s uncanny defensive disorganization simplified France’s job, Les Bleus also showed their attacking four — Giroud, Payet, Griezmann and Moussa Sissoko — continue to grow with this competition.

All were dangerous in this momentous win, combining amid unpredictable movement in the attacking third while playing off each other and creating chances they simply didn’t have against Romania, Albania and Switzerland.

The attacking combinations will encourage France ahead of a massive semifinal meeting with Germany this week — especially given the defending world champs are without defensive stalwart Mats Hummels due to yellow card suspension.

“Germany have so much technical quality. They tend to hog ball possession,” French manager Didier Deschamps said. “Thus far, most of our opposition have come out trying to defend. The more we make Germany defend, the better it will be.”