Vikingur Reykjawik is a team that Polish fans may remember from the confrontation with Lech Poznań. Two years ago, the Icelanders sensationally won against him in the qualifications for the Conference League 1-0. However, in the rematch, the Poznań team advanced after overtime. Already then, the Vikingur team showed that they were capable of surprises. This season, for the first time in history, it went through the qualifying rounds and is playing in the league phase of the Europa Conference League. On Thursday, he scored his first historic points in European cups.
The conqueror of Wisła received beatings. He was defeated by a team from the football periphery
The team led by coach Arnar Gunnlaugson had no chance in the first round at the beginning of the month against Omonia Nicosia. He lost away 0:4 and it seemed that he would be a whipping boy. Meanwhile, this Thursday he played on his own pitch for the first time and it looked much better.
Vikingur's rival was the defeater of Wisła Kraków from the Conference League qualifiers – the Belgian Cercle Brugge. The Belgians started the match much better. Just after the first quarter of an hour, Kazeem Olaigbe scored and the score was 0-1. It didn't take long for the hosts to respond. After just a minute, Ari Sigurpalsson made a phenomenal move on the wing, deceived the defender and shot the ball into the window from an acute angle. Even before the break, Vikingur had a chance to take the lead, but Danijel Djurić missed a penalty kick.
An absolute sensation in the Conference League. Iceland celebrates its first victory in Europe
Just maintaining the score 1:1 would be a great success for the Icelanders. However, they played for the full prize until the end and achieved their goal. In the 76th minute, Angarsson's pass was converted into a goal by Djurić, and six minutes later Gunnar Vatnhamar scored for the Belgians, making the score 3-1.
The victory is historic not only for Vikingur itself, but also for all of Icelandic football. Never before has a club from this country won a match in the group or league stages of a European competition. In the Conference League table, Vikingur has three points and is in 18th place. Cercle Brugge has the same achievements, but due to a better goal balance it ranks 13th.