England under pressure against Iceland, says Eggert Magnusson

By Allan Valente

Former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson says Iceland have nothing to lose in their last-16 match with England

Honorary president of the Icelandic FA Eggert Magnusson says all the pressure is on Roy Hodgson and England ahead of the last 16 clash at Euro 2016.

Iceland scored a stoppage-time winner through Arnor Traustason to beat Austria 2-1 on Wednesday night and snatch second spot in Group F meaning they now face England in Nice on Monday.

And, despite going through their group fixtures unbeaten and finishing above Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, former West Ham chairman Magnusson says Iceland are the underdogs going into the game.

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"The pressure is all on the English team, the pressure is all on my friend Roy Hodgson because we, for me and for the Icelandic nation, have already achieved what we came out for," he said.

"We have qualified from our group and for us it is only enjoyment and we are going with a smile on our face, without any worries and come what may. I think the pressure is on England."

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Image: Magnusson says all the pressure is on his friend and England coach Roy Hodgson

Defender Kari Arnason said Iceland fancy their chances but agreed that all the pressure is on England and he told Sky Sports News HQ he hopes that pressure will tell in Nice.

"We always do (fancy our chances), we have come up against some good teams in the past and we have come out victorious," he said.

"You never know in football, that is the beauty of the game. We go into the game as underdogs and there is no pressure on us.

Image: Kari Arnason says Iceland are confident going into the match with England

"We all know what the pressure is like in England on the English team and hopefully that will get the better of them."

Arnason, who currently plays for Malmo in Sweden, knows the British game well having had spells at Aberdeen, Rotherham and Plymouth and said there is a great atmosphere in the Iceland camp.

"We all believed we could (progress) but going through the group stages without getting beaten is beyond expectations," he said. "It is pure delight, everyone is buzzing.

Image: Iceland players celebrate after progressing from Group F

"I haven't played on the same stage as the boys who are playing for England but I have been around the lower leagues in England and it just makes it even more sweet for me having lived in England and I appreciate it.

"There is a 50-50 chance before every game so we are just going into it hoping to win."

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