The greatest feat in Iceland’s soccer history came more easily than expected as a lacklustre England failed to put the tournament debutants under any serious pressure, their joint-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said.

England were expected to dominate possession and wear down Iceland’s deep defence.

Instead, the only goal they managed in the 2-1 defeat was an early penalty while Iceland pressed them high up the pitch and looked more dangerous in attack.

“I didn’t think the English put us under so much pressure,” said Hallgrimsson.

“We were talking about putting on a central defender, but we thought we didn’t need to do that because we put the pressure higher up the pitch.”

Ragnar Sigurdsson, who equalised early on, thought England were unprepared.

“They thought this would be a walk in the park,” he said.

“They started very well and with great power, but they were shocked by the equaliser and the 2-1 goal. They panicked, though they’re a good team. As you know, it’s difficult to score goals against Iceland.”

Iceland beat the Netherlands home and away in qualifying as the Dutch failed to reach Euro 2016.

In the group stages at the finals Iceland have drawn with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Hungary and beat Austria, tipped as dark horses before the tournament.