Women’s Euro 2025 Talk | Norway advance and Switzerland make the home crowd erupt in celebration
Norway find a way again and it leads to them getting through to the quarter-finals, while Switzerland beat Iceland, creating a huge moment for themselves as they keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
So what a day of action it was yesterday in Group A, as we have our first team sealing their quarter-final place as Norway beat Finland despite another underwhelming showing, plus the first team to have been knocked out in Iceland following a defeat against a once again impressive Switzerland.
Yesterday was particularly interesting from an analysis point of view when we get to thinking about some of the performances of individuals and teams alike, with a few young players standing out and showcasing what they have to offer, plus one player who we are used to seeing step up when needed in the crucial moments.
Let’s get into the analysis of the Group A games firstly though, before previewing what’s in store for this Monday action at Women’s Euro 2025…
Norway advance to the quarter-finals
Norway made sure that they were the first team to book their place in the quarter-finals after a 2-1 victory against Finland in the Stade de Tourbillon. We came into this one with both teams knowing that a win would put them in a great position to reach the knockout stages. Norway got their second three points of the group stages, but what was interesting was that they were also to get the win without looking very convincing once again with their overall performance.
It all started well for Norway when Finland’s Eva Nyström knocked a cross from Caroline Graham Hansen into her own net inside three minutes. But from there, Norway couldn’t increase their lead after they hit the woodwork a few times, and then Finland started finding their way into the game before eventually equalising through Oova Sevenius, who came in for Sanni Franssi and proved the decision made by Marko Saloranta to start her was a good one.
Norway were playing poorly again, and it was a team that continued to look disjointed and still finding it tough to get the best out of their best players. Still though despite the issues on display, the big thing with having quality talents such as Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg and so on, they can just create big things at key moments.
Caroline Graham Hansen was involved again as she scored the winner with what looked like an inadvertent cross that was helped into the goal via the post. The Barcelona winger was a threat in attacking areas on that right side for Norway, and she was probably one of the only Norway players showing signs of intent in trying to push on and show a bit of energy more times than not. Her composure more than anything though is what is good to watch when you see her play, and how comfortable she is when the pressure does go up a bit.
The other players who stood out well in this game were wearing Finland shirts, and Marko Saloranta’s side will arguably have felt hard done by with the result after being the more creative of the two teams. Time and time again, Finland had the better of Norway in wide areas when they got forward, and also made good use of putting balls over the top, where unfortunately they didn’t get more goals to go with their positive play.
This game was proof of how fine margins can be so key in major tournaments at times. Despite having more chances created, Finland lacked the clinical edge that Norway possessed. The saving grace for Finland is that you would still back them to have a chance of going through if they can beat Switzerland. As for Norway, their resiliency and mentality is helping them out massively here at these Euros, and it’ll be interesting to see how they fare once the challenge increases.
"It’s an honour and I'm very happy that we won and I could contribute to help the team winning a tough match. Credit to Finland for playing that well and making it difficult. Winning is a big relief."
Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen speaking after the game
“We played very well against very good opponents. I feel we should have got something out of this game; the result just does not feel fair, but all credit to Norway, of course.”
Finland coach Marko Saloranta speaking after the game
Switzerland keep their knockout stage hopes alive
The hosts are still dreaming of a quarter-final place after they beat Iceland by two goals to nil in Bern following second-half goals from Géraldine Reuteler and Alayah Pilgrim. Contrasting reactions followed at the full-time whistle, with jubilant celebrations in front of a home crowd for Switzerland, whereas there were tears from a few Iceland players. The result has meant that Iceland are the first team to be confirmed to be exiting the tournament once the group stages conclude.
Both teams needed the victory heading into this one after both had lost their previous group matches, but out of the two sides, it was Switzerland who showed more quality overall. However, Iceland did have a very major chance inside the opening minute after Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir hit the crossbar with a volley attempt. It was one of the better chances out of the 12 that Iceland had during the game. Switzerland thought they had a goal in the first half, but after a VAR check for a foul in the build-up, it was rightfully ruled out.
The brunt of Iceland’s attacking moments came off the weapon they had at their disposal in Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s long throws, which Swiss players managed to defend well enough throughout the game. It was an element of their game that they ended up having to rely on and it never paid off, whilst Switzerland were having a lot of joy with the control they were having and a couple of their players put in some brilliant performances to help them get over the line this time, which was all that was missing against Norway.
Speaking on the goals now, the quality that some of the Swiss players possess was on display as their young stars rose to the occasion. 18-year-old Sydney Schertenleib had been showing her skills off all game, and it was a through ball from her to player of the match Géraldine Reuteler, which put Switzerland’s number six through on goal to then finish well and give them the lead. The second goal came from the 22-year-old substitute Alayah Pilgrim as her effort deflected past Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir to seal Iceland’s fate and allow the home crowd to erupt in celebration.
Another one of the young players who performed fantastically in this game was 18-year-old Iman Beney on that right side for Switzerland. How relentless was she up and down that wing, contributing on the attacking and defensive side of things as a wing back pretty much. If you are a Manchester City fan watching Beney, you certainly would have been impressed and excited to see her doing well. There was one moment when she went so close to scoring the goal of the tournament, and fans in the stadium definitely thought she had found the net, sadly though it was only the side netting. What a performance from Iman Beney, who did well in the last game as well, so maybe an early breakout player of the tournament candidate?
This result for Switzerland also sets up a very interesting game now with Finland following the results yesterday evening. Both teams are on three points, but Switzerland lead on goal difference, which currently has them second in Group A behind Norway.
"Well, it's incredible. Before the game, I probably cried about three times already because when we came to the stadium, seeing all the fans, the videos of the city, and how amazing people are in supporting us – it's something we've never experienced in Switzerland. So we're going to have to really enjoy it."
Switzerland captain Lia Wälti speaking after the game to ITV
"Obviously, that’s not how we wanted the game to go. I feel like they were a bit better in the first half, but when they got the goal that was kind of against the game, I felt we were better at that point. But that’s football; it’s about scoring goals. I guess in the end, they deserved the win.”
Iceland’s Dagný Brynjarsdóttir speaking to womenseuro.com after the game
Group B Games Preview
Spain vs Belgium
After a big win against Portugal last time out, Spain could secure their quarter-final place today with a victory against Belgium, who will be desperate to win themselves considering it is a must-win for them or they could be faced with tournament after the second game.
Any point for Belgium against Spain would be a surprising result on paper due to the quality difference between the two sides. However, Belgium will know that they have got the capabilities of getting at Spain’s defence, having tested them in previous encounters where their counter-attacking has given the world champions something to be aware of.
Elisabet Gunnarsdóttir's Belgium were a little disappointing with how they played in their 1-0 loss against Italy and the lack of much of an attacking threat despite Tessa Wullaert trying to get on the end of opportunities for the Belgian Red Flames. Spain on the other hand were having no issues with their attacking threats, and Esther González will surely be aiming to extend her goal tally at the tournament as the only player so far to have scored more than once.
In terms of team news, it will be interesting to see if Aitana Bonmatí starts this game after understandably only appearing off the bench last time out. It will be a question of whether she is fully fit to start, and the same could be said for goalkeeper Cata Coll. One player Spain will definitely have back is defender Irene Paredes after being out due to suspension. As far as we know as well, Belgium may not have too many changes from their last game.
Portugal vs Italy
The same scenario that Spain have also applies to Italy, where a win against Portugal means they too could confirm their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025. They were 1-0 winners last time out against Belgium in a resolute display where they may not had shown fully what they could be capable of producing at this tournament.
Italy will be feeling confident about this game given how they will have felt after the last game, plus they might just be expecting to beat a Portugal side who have been struggling defensively lately in their last few games. Italy’s overall record against Portugal is also very good, with just two defeats recorded against them. If they extend that positive record today, then it should see them through to the quarter-finals at a Women’s European Championship for the first time since 2013.
There won’t be many expecting a result for Portugal due to the concerns around them at the moment. The results have been pretty bad for Francisco Neto’s side, and it’s not just losing the games; it’s the manner in which they are losing them, with a lot of goals being conceded. Portugal have lost by two or more goals in five of their previous six games. Plus, they have struggled to create much of an impact on the attacking side of things, so it’s hard to see anything dramatically changing in their favour.