Valur Women and Vikingur Reykjavik Women played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Iceland Besta-deild kvenna on September 26, 2026, a result that leaves both sides with mixed feelings in the race for top positions.

Match overview

The match was billed as a meeting between two of the stronger sides in Icelandic women’s football, and it lived up to that billing in terms of intensity, even if clear chances were limited. Valur Women started with purpose and took the lead through Berglind Björg Þorsteinsdóttir, but Vikingur Reykjavik Women responded before half-time with a well-worked equaliser from Karitas Tómasdóttir.

The second half became a tactical battle. Both teams pressed carefully, wary of leaving space behind, and the goalkeepers were called into action only intermittently. Valur pushed late for a winner, while Vikingur looked dangerous on the counter, but neither side could find the decisive goal.

Key moments

• 22nd minute: Valur Women took the lead when Berglind Björg Þorsteinsdóttir found space at the near post and converted a low cross with a clever first-time finish.
• 39th minute: Vikingur Reykjavik Women equalised. Karitas Tómasdóttir drove forward from midfield, exchanged passes on the edge of the box and placed a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
• 54th minute: Valur almost restored their lead, but a curling effort from the right struck the crossbar.
• 71st minute: Vikingur’s goalkeeper produced a strong save to deny a close-range header from a corner.
• 88th minute: Valur sent a series of crosses into the box, but Vikingur’s defence stood firm to preserve the draw.

Tactical story

Valur Women used a 4-3-3 formation and tried to control the game through quick combinations in wide areas. Their goal came from exactly that pattern: a wide overload followed by a precise delivery into the penalty area. However, Vikingur’s midfield responded well by cutting off the central passing lanes and forcing Valur to play sideways for long periods.

Vikingur Reykjavik Women were happy to defend in a compact 4-4-2 and attack through transitions. Their equaliser was a perfect example of their game plan: a turnover in midfield, a direct run and a composed finish. In the second half, both coaches made attacking substitutions, but the defensive structures held firm.

Standout players

Berglind Björg Þorsteinsdóttir was Valur’s most dangerous player, taking her goal well and constantly asking questions of the Vikingur back line. Valur’s goalkeeper was reliable when called upon, while the centre-backs dealt with a series of late crosses.

For Vikingur Reykjavik Women, Karitas Tómasdóttir was the standout with a goal and a tireless midfield display. Her ability to carry the ball through pressure gave Vikingur their best attacking moments. The Vikingur goalkeeper also made one crucial save in the second half to keep the score level.

Season impact

A draw between two contenders does little to settle the Iceland Besta-deild kvenna title race. Valur Women will feel they created enough to win, especially with the second-half chances, but Vikingur Reykjavik Women will be satisfied with a disciplined away point against a direct rival.

Both teams remain in the hunt at the top end of the table, but the dropped points could prove costly if either side puts together a winning run in the coming weeks. For Valur, the focus will be on turning possession into more clear-cut chances. For Vikingur, the challenge is to build on a solid defensive performance and find more consistency in attack.