Ladies Euro 2025: Finland beats 10-wife Iceland 1-0 in Opener

The goal of Katariina Kosola gave Finland a 1-0 win over 10-wife Iceland in the opening match of the ladies European Championship on Wednesday, giving the Finns the perfect start in group A, which also contains hosts Switzerland and Norway.

Finland lost all three games during the last tournament and scored one goal, but after the red card from Iceland Hildur Antonsdottir in the 58th minute, Kosola made the breakthrough 12 minutes later.

The first half ended aimless, in which Iceland threatened from set pieces and the long throw-ins from Sveindis Jonsdottir, while Finland created the better chances, but was unable to find a way along goalkeeper Cecilia Runarsdottir.

Inter Milan’s Runarsdottir, last season, voted the best Serie A keeper, made an excellent diving saving to keep the shot of Kosola out of the edge of the area. Iceland lost Kapitein Glodis Viggosdottir van Injury, where the defender was replaced during the break.

Another complication of Jonsdottir brought Iceland his first real chance after the break, in which the Finnish keeper Anna Koivunen saved one attempt and blocked Emma Koivisto another shot, but it also led to the red card for Antonsdottir.

Antonsdottir was booked six minutes earlier, and a result off-the-ball challenge brought a second yellow card and left Iceland at 10 with more than half an hour.

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The drums of the Icelandic fans echoed around the Arena Thun, but it was Finland that now controlled the pace on the field and rightly found a way.

Kosola took the ball into the box and cut in before he hit a nice shot, where Runarsdottir got a hand, but could not put the ball in the top corner.

Iceland pushed until the end for an equalizer, but Finland held on to achieve the three points.

Finland faces Norway in Zion on Sunday, with Iceland, which has one win in 14 euros matches, opposite the Swiss in Bern.