Andri Guðjohnsen scored a hat-trick as Iceland beat Bulgaria 5-0 in the UEFA Nations League at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv on Friday 13 November. Orri Óskarsson also scored and Bulgaria's Emil Tsenov turned the ball into his own net.
Match facts
- Result: Bulgaria 0-5 Iceland (half-time 0-2)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League C, Group C4, Matchday 5
- Venue: Hristo Botev Stadium, Plovdiv
- Kick-off: 19:45 UK
- Scorers: Iceland - Guðjohnsen 17' (pen), 68', 79', Óskarsson 21'; Bulgaria - Tsenov 52' (og)
- Red cards: None
- Next: Estonia v Bulgaria, Monday 16 November, 17:00 UK; Iceland v Luxembourg, same time
How the match unfolded
Arnar Gunnlaugsson's Iceland took control in the first half at Hristo Botev Stadium, a venue UEFA lists with a capacity of 18,562. Atanas Ribarski's Bulgaria lined up with Ilia Gruev as captain and Daniel Naumov in goal, with Atanas Iliev leading the attack and Georgi Rusev, Lukas Petkov and Kristiyan Balov in the supporting roles. Óskarsson captained Iceland, with Hákon Valdimarsson in goal and Guðjohnsen starting alongside him in attack.
Guðjohnsen opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, as recorded by UEFA's match centre. Four minutes later Óskarsson made it 2-0, and Iceland went in two goals up at half-time.
The third goal arrived in the 52nd minute when Tsenov put through his own net. Guðjohnsen then scored twice more, in the 68th and 79th minutes, to complete his hat-trick and make the final score 5-0. UEFA's match centre listed no red cards. Florian Badstübner was the referee.
It was a second heavy defeat for Bulgaria against the same opponents in this group. UEFA's league-phase results show Iceland also won 3-0 when the sides met on 3 October.
What the result means
UEFA's official standings after Friday's matches show Iceland top of Group C4 with 11 points from five games, two ahead of Estonia on 9. Bulgaria are third with 4 points, one ahead of Luxembourg on 3. One matchday remains.
Elsewhere in the Nations League this week, England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley, while an October league-phase round-up covered earlier results across the groups.
What happens next?
Bulgaria travel to face Estonia on Monday 16 November, kick-off 17:00 UK. Iceland host Luxembourg at the same time.
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