Estonia football team draws 1:1 with Iceland in UEFA Nations League opener

Estonia's national football team opened its new UEFA Nations League season with a 1:1 away draw against Iceland on Saturday, September 26.

Match summary

Iceland had more possession in the first half and created several threats against Estonian goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein. The first genuinely dangerous moment, however, came at the home side's goal — in the 38th minute Kevor Palumets failed to convert a one-on-one chance after an excellent pass from Mihkel Ainsalu.

Still, Iceland went into the break in the lead. In the 45th minute, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson delivered a cross into the penalty area, and Andri Gudjohnsen headed it in from six meters — 1:0.

At the start of the second half, Iceland's goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson made two crucial saves for his team. First he tipped away a shot from Ainsalu aimed at the top corner, and in the 52nd minute he saved a penalty taken by Kevor Palumets, awarded after a foul on Rasmus Peetson inside the box.

In the 64th minute, Peetson crossed into the penalty area, where Maksim Paskotsky won an aerial duel and headed the ball into the net — 1:1. It was the defender's second goal for the national team.

Estonia's next Nations League match will be on Tuesday in Plovdiv against Bulgaria. On October 3, Estonia will host Luxembourg in Tallinn, followed by a match against Iceland on October 6.