EURO 2016 Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were stunned by tournament debutants Iceland yesterday as a second-half equaliser from Birkir Bjarnason earned the minnows an unlikely 1-1 draw in Euro 2016 Group F.

Bjarnason's crisp volley five minutes after the break cancelled out Nani's 31st minute opener and, though it came thoroughly against the run of play, only the Portuguese fans in St Etienne's Stade Geoffroy Guichard could grudge them their moment of glory.

Portugal controlled the vast majority of proceedings but had only the one strike to show for their efforts. Ronaldo, who matched Luis Figo's Portuguese record tally of 127 caps, had chances to mark the occasion with a goal but miskicked and headed weakly on his best opportunities.

The sides sit second and third in the table after Hungary defeated 10-man Austria 2-0 earlier yesterday. In the next matches on Saturday, Iceland face Hungary and Portugal take on Austria.

Iceland did not look overawed at appearing on the big stage for the first time and captain Aron Gunnarsson set the tone inside 30 seconds by tackling Ronaldo and staring out the prone forward.

Moments later Iceland missed their best chance of the half when Sigurdsson cut inside full-back Vieirinha only to be denied by a smart double save from keeper Rui Patricio.

"Our defending was fantastic and we worked really hard," Iceland co-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said. "Apart from one or two situations we were really focused and it was a total team result.

“The fans were unbelievable, it was just like playing at home. When the players got tired, the fans just cheered them on."

Iceland were giving everything to match their technically superior opponents but, unable to retain possession, eventually fell back to defend deep in their own half.

With Portugal dominating, chances were inevitable. Only a magnificent save from Hannes Halldorsson kept Nani's header out after Ronaldo found him with a cross from the left and Ronaldo himself then glanced a header just wide.

Sucker punch

A clever chip from Pepe released Ronaldo behind the defence but the usually deadly hit-man, attempting to become the first player to score in for Euro finals, could not connect properly and Halldorsson saved.

The breakthrough finally arrived when Andre Gomes found space on the right of the box and his cut-back was swept home by Nani at the near post with Halldorsson helpless. Governing body UEFA said it was the 600th goal scored at a European Championship finals.

"We should have scored more goals, there's no secret about that," said coach Fernando Santos, who admitted his team only had themselves to blame for not winning.

"We didn't play a brilliant game but the first match is always complicated. I absolutely believe we will bounce back to play two great matches."

Portugal made the stronger start to the second period, with Ronaldo shooting wide, but were struck by a sucker punch in the 50th minute.

Birkir Saevarsson was given time to cross and, with Vieirinha caught woefully out of position, Bjarnason finished well from eight yards.

"That's what football is all about," said a frustrated Nani. "They had one chance and scored, we tried to score again but couldn't even with many chances."

Chasing a winner once more, Portugal increased the pressure but while Iceland needed a couple of frantic clearances, clear chances were rare.

Nani and Pepe flicked header agonisingly beyond the post and over the bar from set pieces, and Halldorsson, when finally tested, dealt easily with substitute Ricardo Quaresma's deflected shot.

Ronaldo looked destined to win the game seven minutes from time only to send a free header directly at Halldorsson.

Iceland too could have snatched the victory but Jon Dadi Bodvarsson had his shot palmed away

- dpa