France were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Iceland in Reykjavik but edged a step closer to securing World Cup qualification.

Didier Deschamps' side -- without injured captain Kylian Mbappé -- had dominated the opening stages at Laugardalsvollur but fell behind just before the break when Victor Palsson bundled the ball in.

Christopher Nkunku equalised just after the hour before Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first France goal to turn the match around.

Iceland then swiftly got themselves back on level terms through Kristian Hlynsson to secure a point, which keeps alive their own hopes of making it to next summer's showpiece in North America.

France had made a strong start, with Nkunku's early close-range effort from a corner blocked by Iceland goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson.

Nkunku then looked to catch Olafsson off guard with a long-range free-kick, which dropped just over the crossbar before Mateta sent his shot wide.

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Despite soaking up so much pressure in a low block, Iceland -- beaten 5-3 by Ukraine in their last match - took the lead six minutes before half-time.

Albert Gudmundsson sent over a low free-kick from the left, which the French defence failed to clear at the near post and defender Palsson stabbed the ball in from close range.

France almost got an equaliser in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Olafsson saved Michael Olise's close-range header before Mateta's follow-up was blocked on the line.

Les Bleus' frustrations continued following the restart as Florian Thauvin headed wide and Nkunku fired over from close range.

The AC Milan winger, though, did find the net in the 63rd minute when he cut back inside on the left of the Iceland box and rifled a low shot into the far corner.

France then turned the match around when Mateta slotted in his first international goal just five minutes later when substitute Maghnes Akliouche sent a ball across the Iceland six-yard box.

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Iceland, though, got themselves back on level terms following a swift counter attack in the 70th minute.

Gudmundsson was sent away down the right and laid the ball off to Hlynsson, who took it on into the France penalty area before firing past stand-in France skipper Mike Maignan.

Iceland sit three points behind second-placed Ukraine, who beat Azerbaijan 2-1 in Krakow.

France remain clear at the top of Group D, now three ahead of Ukraine and six from Iceland with just two qualifiers left to play.