UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 began with Finland edging ten-player Iceland, before Norway came from behind to break Swiss hearts.
Group A
Iceland 0-1 Finland
Switzerland 1-2 Norway
Norway recovered from a poor first-half performance in Switzerland to be the tournament hosts 2-1 in front of over 34,000 in Basle.
Geraldine Reuteler rattled the Norwegian bar from 25 yards midway through the first half, soon afterwards the woodwork was struck again but the effort by Nadine Reisen went in off the near post.
Gemma Grainger’s Norway turned the game round in a five-minute spell approaching the hour mark, Ada Hegerberg heading in Vilde Bøe Risa’s corner and Caroline Graham Hansen forcing an own-goal from Julia Stierli.
Livia Peng denied Hegerberg, Cecilie Fiskerstrand pushed away a Reuteler strike at the other end.
Penalty dramas seconds apart saw Hegerberg pull a spot-kick wide and the Swiss be awarded one of their own, before the decision was reversed.
Reuteler had a great chance with time running out but Thea Bjelde’s interception deflected in over the bar.
Finland took all three points against higher-ranked Iceland, who had one player sent off and their captain injured.
Iceland goalkeeper Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir turned a Katariina Kosola shot round the post, Sveindis Jonsdottir’s long throw was flicked on at the near post and Finns’ keeper Anna Koivunen just got enough on it to deflect it away.
Sveindis Jonsdottir was involved again with a cross to Sandra Jessen but Emma Koivisto made a crucial block.
Icelandic captain Glodis Viggosdottir missed the second half with injury, Koivisto blocked again in front of goal but this time with her face and moments afterwards Iceland were down to ten players, Hildur Antonsdottir shown a second yellow card for a foul on Eveliina Summanen.
Kosola made the breakthrough with 20 minutes left, firing home powerfully after breaking into the box.
Katla Tryggvadottir threatened a stoppage-time leveller but Koivunen made the save.
Fixtures for Thursday 2 July – Group B:
Belgium v Italy – live on BBC2/iPlayer/BBC Sport Website, 5pm BST
Spain v Portugal – live on ITV1/STV, 8pm BST
