Michael Guigou top scored with six goals for the home nation as they claimed a 31-25 victory over their European counterparts and made it six wins out of six in the competition.

Iceland were just one goal behind at half-time with the score at 14-13, but France’s quality told after the break and they pulled away to eventually win by a margin of six. 

"We are happy because this was like a completely different game from the group phase as this a one-off game," France coach Didier Dinart said.

"We had trouble in the first half in defence.

"We talked at half-time about what we had to improve on and we saw the effects right from the start of the second-half and when you’ve got such a strong back-up [from the crowd] it’s easier for you to take control of the game."

France will return to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for their last-eight tie on Tuesday (January 24), when they will go up against the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Belarus and Sweden. 

A potential semi-final opponent for France is Slovenia, who reached the quarter-finals with a 32-26 win over Russia at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris.

On the other half of the draw, Spain ensured a last-eight berth after narrowly overcoming Brazil 28-27 at the Park&Suites Arena in Montpellier.

They are joined by Norway, who overcame Macedonia 34-24 at La halle de glace Olympique in Albertville.  

Today's action also saw Poland beat Tunisia 28-26 to earn a place in the 17^th-place play-off.

They will meet the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Saudi Arabia and Argentina on Monday (January 23), while Tunisia will go up against the losers in the 19^th-place play-off.

Japan are through to the 21^st-place play-off after overcoming Angola 37-26.

The Asian nation will face the winner of tomorrow’s encounter between Chile and Bahrain on Monday, immediately following Angola’s match against the losers in a battle to avoid finishing last.