A couple of weeks before the 1982 World Cup in Spain, manager Ron Greenwood presided over two warm-up friendlies on consecutive days.
The match played on this day, 2 June, was originally going to be a ‘B’ international against Iceland in Reykjavik – but it was upgraded to a Senior fixture.
Iceland 1-1 England
International Match
Wednesday 2 June 1982
Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik
It was our first-ever match with Iceland and Greenwood used the opportunity to have a look at a few of the fringe members of his squad who were seeking a place in the final 22 for Spain - our first tournament for 12 years.
It was a slightly different-looking England team, captained by Liverpool’s Phil Neal, who took the field before a shivering crowd of around 9,000 in the Laugardalsvollur Stadium.
Few chances were created in a sterile first half and the Icelanders surprised everyone with a goal on 22 minutes.Edjvaldsson’s low cross was turned past Joe Corrigan by Gudjohnsen from close range.
For a while an upset looked on the cards, particularly as Cyrille Regis had to leave the action with a groin problem, but England pulled themselves together and began to assert themselves on a bumpy pitch.
Ron Greenwood was England manager in 1982
Paul Goddard, winning his only cap as a substitute for Regis, joyfully shot home the equaliser after being set up by the impressive Glenn Hoddle, and it finished 1-1.
England have only played Iceland once since then. A friendly tournament fixture at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2005 ended 6-1 to the Three Lions, with Wayne Rooney and Darius Vassell hitting braces, while Wayne Bridge and Frank Lampard also bagged.
On the following day a more recognisable England team beat Finland 4-1 in Helsinki, Paul Mariner and Bryan Robson both scoring twice.
England didn’t lose a match in the World Cup but were on their way home after two 0-0 draws in ‘Phase Two’.
England: 1 Joe Corrigan, 2 Viv Anderson, 3 Phil Neal (c), 4 Dave Watson, 5 Russell Osman, 6 Terry McDermott, 7 Glenn Hoddle, 8 Alan Devonshire (12 Steve Perryman 70), 9 Peter Withe, 10 Cyrille Regis (13 Paul Goddard 40), 11 Tony Morley
Goals: Paul Goddard, 69
