---
title: "Estonia end the successful international break with draw at home against Iceland"
date: 2026-10-06T21:07:32Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/estonia-end-the-successful-international-break-with-draw-at-home-against-iceland/
categories: ["Estonia", "UEFA Nations League"]
---

# Estonia end the successful international break with draw at home against Iceland
**Estonia extended their unbeaten start to the UEFA Nations League campaign but were left to rue several missed opportunities after being held to a 0-0 draw by Iceland at Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn. The result means Estonia finish their demanding four-match international window unbeaten, with one victory and three draws.**

Henn made several changes from the side that defeated Luxembourg 1-0 three days earlier. Matvei Igonen continued in goal in the absence of the injured Karl Jakob Hein, while captain Karol Mets was suspended. Maksim Paskotši wore the captain’s armband, with Joseph Saliste coming into the side and Robi Saarma joining Mattias Männilaan in attack. Patrik Kristal continued in the starting XI, with Markus Poom and Kevor Palumets also in midfield.

Iceland started aggressively and immediately looked to exploit the space behind Estonia’s defence with direct passes. However, the hosts quickly settled into the contest and created their first major opportunity in the ninth minute. Kristal found Rasmus Peetson making another dangerous run into the penalty area, with Peetson getting a good connection on the bouncing ball before the Iceland defence intervened and Valdimarsson eventually collected.

Iceland remained dangerous from set pieces, with Gylfi Sigurdsson’s deliveries causing problems, but Estonia increasingly found ways to play through the visitors. Kristal was once again central to much of their best attacking play, while Peetson continued to provide a threat with his forward runs from the right.

Poom went close in the 19th minute after Kristal cleverly worked the ball into his path, but his first-time effort flew wide. Estonia continued to find promising positions without producing the decisive final touch.

The hosts survived a dangerous moment in the 34th minute when Hakon Arnar Haraldsson suddenly found himself in space close to the Estonia goal, but Paskotši produced an important intervention to prevent a clear opportunity.

Estonia then finished the half strongly. Peetson again found himself in an advanced position in the 42nd minute after another pass from Kristal, forcing Valdimarsson into a save from a tight angle. Kristal followed up with an effort of his own from distance but sent it over the crossbar.

The best chance of the first half arrived in stoppage time. Saliste broke down the left and delivered an excellent ball directly into Männilaan’s path, but the Nõmme Kalju forward could not beat Valdimarsson, who made the save to ensure the teams went into the break goalless.

Estonia continued on the front foot after the restart. Saarma drove into the Iceland penalty area in the 52nd minute and created space before firing a dangerous low ball towards goal, but Valdimarsson was again there to intervene. Iceland, meanwhile, struggled to create much from open play as Estonia continued to defend well.

Henn made a triple substitution on the hour mark, introducing Mattias Käit, Schjönning-Larsen and Karel Mustmaa for Palumets, Saliste and Männilaan. Shortly afterwards, Estonia came agonisingly close to finally breaking the deadlock.

Kristal produced an excellent piece of skill to create room for a cross. Käit initially missed the ball, which then dropped awkwardly for Saarma, who was unable to produce a clean finish. The loose ball remained alive inside the six-yard box and Käit attempted to force it over the line from close range, only for Valdimarsson to gather.

There was also a memorable moment in the 69th minute as Maksimilian Skvortsov replaced Kristal to make his senior international debut.

Estonia’s attacking momentum faded somewhat following the substitutions, allowing Iceland to finish the match as the stronger side. The visitors began to apply sustained pressure during the closing stages, repeatedly delivering crosses and corners into the Estonia penalty area.

Igonen and the defence stood firm. Deep into stoppage time, Iceland created one final dangerous opportunity, but Igonen and Märten Kuusk combined almost on the goal line to clear the danger and preserve Estonia’s clean sheet.

The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw in front of 5,987 spectators in Tallinn. While Estonia could be disappointed not to have taken all three points after creating several excellent opportunities, the result completed an impressive international window for Henn’s side.

Estonia remain unbeaten after four Nations League matches, having recorded one victory and three draws, and will head into November still firmly in contention at the top end of the group as Iceland are leaders of the group with eight points after first four games.

**Estonia 0-0 Iceland**