Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland’s Riola Xhemaili scored a late goal to save a thrilling 1-1 draw with Finland on Thursday, sending the happy hosts to the Euro 2025 quarterfinals and sorrowful Finland home.
Switzerland advanced to the knockout stage for the first time after finishing second in Group A behind Norway, requiring just a draw to advance on goal differential. They will now play the winners of Group B, who are now world champions Spain.
After Viola Calligaris fouled Emma Koivisto in the 79th minute, Natalia Kuikka scored a penalty, giving Finland the appearance that they would advance to the knockout stage. When Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng ducked, center-back Kuikka calmly slotted home a low shot to mark her 101st cap.
The home crowd cheered the Swiss on, though, as they continued to attack in the breathless final seconds. Geraldine Reuteler mishit her effort on goal in the 92nd minute, and Xhemaili was there to tap it in, blowing the roof off the Stade de Geneve.
Switzerland got out to a strong start and had a few early chances to test Finnish goalkeeper Anna Koivunen. However, in order to calm the anxious fans, momentum changed halfway through the half. Just before halftime, the ball rebounded off Eva Nystrom’s shin in front of goal, and Peng made a great stop on the goal-line.
The second half of the back-and-forth match saw an increase in intensity, and the Swiss finished the evening with 15 shots to Finland’s six.
Gaupset runs the show in Norway’s victory
Signe Gaupset, a winger for Norway, made the most of her maiden appearance at the Women’s Euros, scoring twice and setting up two more goals as her team defeated Iceland 4-3 on Thursday. The Norwegians had previously won Group A.
The Norwegians suffered a nerve-wracking finish when Iceland scored two late goals, including a stoppage-time penalty after Marit Bratberg Lund was sent off for a clumsy challenge, despite Gaupset’s outstanding attacking effort.
Sveindis Jonsdottir scored the tournament’s first goal after being the fastest to react when Cecilie Fiskerstrand split Alexandra Johannsdottir’s header in the sixth minute. Iceland was playing for pride and had already been eliminated.
After controlling the majority of the match, Norway’s dominance was overthrown in the final moments as Iceland fought valiantly and scored again in the 84th minute through Hlin Eiriksdottir.
Glodis Viggosdottir, the captain of Iceland, scored a penalty kick to make it 4-3 after substitute Lund was sent off for a careless challenge in stoppage time, but the Norwegians held on to clinch first in the group with a perfect nine points.
