PARIS, France (AFP) —Iceland Co-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson jokingly suggested yesterday’s historic 2-1 win over Austria at Euro 2016 would force the Nordic island country to change its national holiday.

Iceland, with a population of around 330,000, is the smallest nation to qualify for a major finals, and its national team strode into the last 16 and a meeting with England after consigning Austria to a premature exit.

“I would guess we will change the national holiday. It’s normally on June 17, but they will probably change it now.

“That’s how much [this result] means to us,” said Hallgrimsson, referring to Icelandic National Day which commemorates the country’s independence from Danish rule in 1944.

Iceland, who drew their opening two Group F matches, were already on course for the knockout phase despite seeing Alessandro Schoepf cancel out Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s early opener at the Stade de France.

But substitute Arnor Ingvi Traustason rounded off a 94th-minute counter-attack as the Austrians pressed forward in desperation to set up a “dream” tie against England in Nice on Monday.

“I think everybody who was watching the game realised how much it meant to us. We were willing to sacrifice everything to win,” said Hallgrimsson.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two trademark brilliant goals to go into European Championship history and rescue Portugal in a 3-3 draw that took them into the last 16.

The Real Madrid ace became the first player to score at four European championship finals and his 17th match in a Euro tournament was also a record.

The 31-year-old opened his account in style with a deft backheel flick on 50 minutes, then a bullet header 12 minutes later to twice equalise at the Stade de Lyon.

The result left Hungary on top of Group F. Portugal squeezed through as one of the best third-place finishers, but now face a tough tie against Croatia.

“It was an insane match,” said man-of-the-match Ronaldo.

“We had to chase down the match, it was very hot, but the main goal was to qualify.

“I can’t say I’m not happy. These are good records, but the priority was to make it through to the 16,” Ronaldo added.

Following their draws with Iceland and Austria, Portugal’s captain had been feeling the pressure.

He threw a TV reporter’s microphone in a lake on the morning of the game in Lyon.

But he delivered when it mattered as Portugal equalised three times in a topsy-turvy match.

A late goal by Premier League target Radja Nainggolan earned Belgium a last-16 berth with a 1-0 win over Sweden, making superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic end his international career with a defeat.

The Roma midfielder, reportedly wanted by Chelsea, controlled a cross from Eden Hazard outside the area and powered it into the net in the 82nd minute. Belgium will now take on Hungary in Toulouse on June 26.

Sweden finished third in the group and will look back with regret on a flat performance in their opener against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Robbie Brady struck with just five minutes remaining as Ireland claimed a dramatic 1-0 win over Italy in Lille to reach the knockout phase.

Brady’s goal arrived just when it looked as if Ireland were heading out due to a combination of Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan.

Ireland had to win the match at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy against an Italian side already assured of first place in Group E and got the win they needed to set up a last-16 tie against hosts France.