Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir's strike eight minutes from time was enough to give Iceland an unexpected 1-0 win against France, whom they have consequently deposed as UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying Group 3 leaders.

Sucker punch
France were clear favourites to win the match having rattled off consecutive 6-0 victories against Greece and Slovenia in their previous group matches, but despite dominating this encounter, were punished for failing to convert possession into goals. Les Bleues rained 23 shots in on goal but couldn't find a way past inspired Iceland goalkeeper Thóra Helgadóttir, who made a series of remarkable saves, before Vidarsdóttir produced the sucker punch, after being sent through on goal by Dóra María Lárusdóttir.

'Great chance'
"I play with Dóra María at Valur and we know each other well so I knew where she was going to play the pass and was ready for it," said the goalscorer afterwards. Iceland coach Sigurdur Ragnar Eyjólfsson was delighted after seeing his side move top with six points and a superior head-to-head record over today's opponents. "I am very pleased," he said. "We have beaten the seventh best team in the world and the best team Iceland has ever beaten." Eyjólfsson's side next face Serbia in Reykjavík on Thursday. "I hope people now realise that Iceland's women's national team is good and has a great chance of reaching the finals."