Sibra Xhemaili from Switzerland scored a last-gasp goal on Thursday to save a dramatic 1-1 draw with Finland who sent the joyful hosts to the quarterfinals at Euro 2025, while Finland was eliminated.
Switzerland, which only needed a draw to go on the basis of target difference, finished second in group A behind Norway to continue for the first time to the knockout rounds.
Finland seemed to go to the knockout round after Natalia Kuikka scored a penalty in the 79th minute, awarded after Viola had contaminated Caligararis Emma Koivisto. Center-back Kuikka marked her 101st cap by quietly throwing a low shot home when Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng appeared on the wrong direction.
But, roared by the home crowd, the Swiss continued the attack in the breathless dying moments and Xhemaili scored in the 92nd minute when Geraldine Roe keyer was her shot on goal and Xhemaili there to tap it, causing the roof to blow off at Stade de Geneva.
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Switzerland started clearly and put the Finnish goalkeeper Anna Koivunen to work early with a few opportunities. But the momentum shifted halfway through half to calm the nervous crowd, and Peng made a huge save on the goal line, seconds before the break after the ball of Eva Nystrom’s tibia had bounced in front of goal.
Intensity was picked up over the second half of the back and forth affair, with the Swiss ending the night with 15 shots to the six of Finland.
Switzerland is confronted with the winner of group B, who would be world champion, Spain, as things now stand.
Gaupset runs the show in the victory of Norway
Norway Winger Sign Gaupupet made the best of her first start with the ladies’ euros, scored twice and created two more goals while she beat her 4-3 with 4-3 on Thursday to make three wins of three for the Norwegians, who had already won the victory in group A in group A.
Despite the enormous offensive performance of Gaupupet, the Norwegians have endured a nervy ending while Iceland scored two late goals, including a stopping time penalty after Marit Bratberg Lund was sent for an awkward challenge.
With Iceland who played for pride, already eliminated, Sveindis Jonsdottir scored their first goal at the tournament by responding the fastest when Alexandra Johanndottir’s header was spilled by Cecilie Fiskerstrand in the sixth minute.
Frida Maanum van Norway, on the right, scored twice while Signe Gaupset helped two goals and resulted in two goals in the victory over Iceland. | Photoredit: AP
Frida Maanum van Norway, on the right, scored twice while Signe Gaupset helped two goals and resulted in two goals in the victory over Iceland. | Photoredit: AP
Gaupset, one of the six changes on the side defeated Finland on Sunday, canceled the opening goal of Iceland by firing a low volley from a corner in the foot of the right post in the 15th minute, and 11 minutes later she shot a left ride to the opposite corner to make it 2-1.
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Gaupset stepped in more misery in Iceland by taking Frida Maanum for the third and fourth goals of Norway, respectively in the 49th and 76th minutes.
After dominating for a large part of the game, the wheels came out late for Norway when Iceland fought bravely and scored again in the 84th minute through Hlin Eiriksdottir.
Replacement Lund was sent in a stopping time for a silly challenge that resulted in a penalty that Iceland’s leader Glodis Viggosdottir shot home to bring the score to 4-3, but the Norwegians held up to end the top of the group with perfect nine points.