Israel and Iceland played to an entertaining 2-2 draw as the sides split the points in UEFA Nations League B Group 2 action. The blue-and-white sit atop of the group with 5 points and are undefeated thus far with one win and two draws with one more match left to play against Albania back in Israel in September.

The hosts took an early lead via a Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson header but an Iceland own goal off a Ramzi Safuri shot helped the blue-and-white head into the break levels at 1-1. Thórir Jóhann Helgason gave Arnar Viðarsson’s a 2-1 advantage after taking care of an Israeli defensive error but Dor Peretz was able to just get the ball over the line as his goal was confirmed by the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) to earn a point for Alon Hazan’s squad.

“We had chances to decide the game as did they,” Israel coach Alon Hazan said following the game. “The result reflected the match and we played bravely after having made some mistakes. There are things that we need to improve. We didn’t begin the game well but what was good is that we were able to wake up despite that whereas in the past we wouldn’t be able to do so. We don’t want to be in that situation but as time goes by we will improve on that.”

“We wanted to win but a draw is a good result,” Manor Solomon noted. “We are giving up goals that we shouldn’t but the second half saw us all press much better and the 2-2 draw is a good result. We were able to come back which was something we were unable to do in the past when we would go down 2-1 and not be able to get a draw on the road. We want to finish in first place and we have some time to get ready for the last game but we will come in ready.”

As for a move to Fulham, Solomon hinted with a smile that he could be heading to the English Premier League, “Fulham makes sense, but everyone will find out very soon where I will be going to play this coming season.”

Israel travelled to Reykjavik where they faced Iceland in their third UEFA Nations League game. Two weeks ago, the blue-and-white played Iceland to a 2-2 draw at Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa in their opening game of the campaign. Prior to that matchup, the two nations had played three international friendlies, winning two and drawing one as Alon Hazan’s team looked to pick up an additional victory after downing Albania 2-1 this past Friday night.

The hosts grabbed an early 1-0 lead when midfielder Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson headed home the ball right over a poorly positioned Israeli keeper Ofir Marciano off of a throw in set piece in the 9th minute. Just two minutes later Iceland almost doubled the score on an almost identical play but this time the blue-and-white shot stopper was in place.

Israel tried their luck in the box as Liel Abada fed Monas Dabbur but the latter’s attempt was saved by Rúnar Rúnarsson while Mahmoud Jaber’s attempt in the 22nd minute was also taken care of by the Icelandic keeper. Blue-and-white defender Doron Leidner coughed up the ball in the midfield but Arnór Sigurdsson’s chance was brilliantly taken care of by a shaky Marciano a few minutes later.

Alon Hazan’s squad started to press for the equalizer and they found just that as Ramzi Safuri’s attempt caromed off of Daníel Leó Grétarsson and behind a helpless Rúnarsson to draw Israel even at 1-1 in the 35th minute. Miguel Vitor’s header off a corner kick just went over the bar and Safuri’s low liner just went by the right post while Hördur Magnússon’s 45th minute free kick smashed off of the bar for Iceland as the sides went into the real all knotted up at one a piece.

The second half saw both teams searching in earnest for the go ahead goal as Thorsteinsson’s shot was blocked in the box while Solomon’s chance was also blocked and Dor Peretz missed the target. However, Thórir Jóhann Helgason pounced on a rebound as the Israeli defense were turned inside out to give Iceland a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute.

But just five minutes later, Peretz came flying into the box while his attempt just crossed the goal line as Rúnarsson tried to keep the ball out but the goal was confirmed by the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) to tie the game up at 2-2.

After a number of wholesale substitutions on both sides, Sun Menachem’s opportunity just skipped by the right post while Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen’s chance was smothered by Marciano in the 83rd minute. Each team had chances as time wound down but no more goals would be scored as the sides split the points in Iceland.