Watch: Iceland draws Portugal, as Bjarnason answers Nani's goal
Iceland secured a valuable point in its first match in a major international competition, battling back to force a 1-1 draw with Portugal at Euro 2016.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who already holds the national goals record with 58, tied Luis Figo for most caps in Portgual history with 127 with his appearance Tuesday, but he was held in check by Iceland and goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson, who saved his late header to preserve the draw. Iceland, the darling of the qualifying round that has overcome its limitations of size to become a competitor on the continental level, canceled out Nani's opener through Birik Bjarnason's close-range volley in the 51st minute, and the two sides sit behind Hungary in Group F after one match.
Portugal may have been the group favorite, but it was Iceland that nearly got on the board first.
Gylfi Sigurdsson almost gave Iceland a dream start in the third minute, but Rui Patricio came up with a double save to prevent the Swansea winger from scoring:
Iceland's goalkeeper came up with a tremendous save of his own later on in the half. Halldorsson robbed Nani with a kick save after Ronaldo set him up with a perfect cross to the far post:
After sending a header wide of the mark, Ronaldo then whiffed on another chance for Portugal. Pepe served a solid ball over the top, but Ronaldo missed on his first-time effort, allowing Halldorsson to swat the ball away:
Nani eventually made Portugal's pressure pay off. After a tremendous combination down the right channel, Nani fired home from six yards out with a first-time effort in the 31st minute:
Iceland answered back against the run of play early in the second half. An unmarked Bjarnason volleyed home past Rui Patricio after a perfect curled cross from the right to make it 1-1 in the 51st minute and score Iceland's first goal in a major international tournament:
Ronaldo had a golden chance late on to restore Portugal's lead, but his close-range header was covered by Halldorsson, preserving the scoreline:
Iceland plays Hungary, while Portugal plays Austria on Saturday in their next matches.
