Norway are the first team to secure a spot in the Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals after a dramatic 2-1 win over Finland on Sunday, followed by Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over already-eliminated Iceland.
Caroline Graham Hansen delivered the decisive moment in Sion, netting a late winner that looked like a mishit cross but ended up in the back of the net via the post in the 84th minute. With two wins from two Group A games, Norway top the group with six points, and Switzerland’s win ensures Norway’s position is uncatchable, securing their place in the next round with one game still to play.
Norway looked dominant early in the match, taking the lead in the 17th minute when Finland’s Eva Nystrom turned Hansen’s cross into her own goal. The Norwegians nearly extended their lead midway through the first half, hitting the woodwork twice in a minute—first when Ingrid Engen nodded Vilde Boe Risa’s cross onto the post, and then when Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen tipped a corner onto the upright.
Koivunen continued to impress, denying both Hansen’s powerful low shot and rushing out to block Ada Hegerberg’s close-range attempt. Finland capitalised on her efforts in the 32nd minute when Oona Sevenius calmly struck a leveller from the edge of the box.
Momentum briefly shifted in Finland’s favour, with Eveliina Summanen almost scoring a stunning goal, but Norway’s keeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand managed to push it onto the post. Hansen missed a golden opportunity in the 82nd minute from point-blank range, but moments later, she danced past four defenders and curled the ball in off the post to make it 2-1.
In the day’s other Group A match, Switzerland defeated Iceland 2-0 in front of a home crowd at Wankdorf Stadium. Geraldine Reuteler broke the deadlock in the 76th minute after a fine team move, and Alayah Pilgrim added a second in stoppage time with a deflected strike. The win puts Switzerland in second place, three points behind Norway and ahead of Finland on goal difference.
Pia Sundhage’s Finland must now avoid defeat in their final match to have a chance of progressing to the Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals, while Iceland are officially out of contention after two straight losses and an inferior head-to-head record. Norway, already through, will face the runners-up of Group B in the quarter-final stage.
