Women’s EURO: Switzerland enter quarterfinals for the first time; Norway beat Iceland 4-3

NEW DELHI: Switzerland’s Riola Xhemaili scored a last-gasp goal to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw with Finland on Thursday that sent the joyous hosts through to the quarterfinals at Euro 2025, while Finland was knocked out.

Switzerland, which needed only a draw to advance based on goal difference, finished second in Group A behind Norway to go through to the knockout rounds for the first time.

Finland looked to be heading for the knockout round after Natalia Kuikka scored a penalty in the 79th minute, awarded after Viola Calligaris fouled Emma Koivisto. Centre-back Kuikka marked her 101st cap by calmly slotting home a low shot as Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng dived the wrong way.

But, roared on by the home crowd, the Swiss kept up the attack in the breathless dying moments and Xhemaili scored in the 92nd minute when Geraldine Reuteler mis-hit her shot on goal and Xhemaili was there to tap it in, blowing the roof off at Stade de Geneve.

Switzerland started brightly and put Finnish goalkeeper Anna Koivunen to work early with a couple of chances. But momentum shifted midway through the half to quiet the nervous crowd, and Peng made a huge save on the goal-line, seconds before the break after the ball had bounced off Eva Nystrom’s shin in front of goal.

Intensity picked up over the second half of the back-and-forth affair, with the Swiss ending the night with 15 shots to Finland’s six.

Switzerland will face the winner of Group B, which would be world champion, Spain, as things stand now.

Norway winger Signe Gaupset made the most of her first start at the Women’s Euros, scoring twice and creating two more goals as her side beat Iceland 4-3 on Thursday to make it three wins from three for the Norwegians, which had already secured victory in Group A. Agencies

 Also Read: Starc on landmark 100th Test: ‘Huge honour, something to reflect on when I’m finished’

Also Watch: