Sweden Women delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over 10-player Germany Women to finish top of Group C at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, handing the eight-time champions their heaviest ever defeat in tournament history.
Both teams entered the final group match in Zurich level on six points, with Sweden needing only a draw to secure first place. However, the Scandinavians exceeded expectations with a ruthless display that left Germany reeling — conceding four goals in a Women’s Euro match for the first time.
It was also Sweden’s first-ever win over Germany in the history of the competition.
Comeback Triumph for Sweden
Germany struck first in the seventh minute, with Jule Brand lifting a composed finish over Jennifer Falk after collecting a precise through-ball from Carlotta Wamser. It was Brand’s fourth goal involvement of the tournament, but it would prove to be Germany’s only bright moment.
Sweden responded just five minutes later when Stina Blackstenius surged into space and struck a low drive beyond Ann-Katrin Berger to level the score.
The momentum swung firmly in Sweden’s favour in the 18th minute as teenager Smilla Holmberg netted her first major tournament goal. The 18-year-old drove into the box before her angled effort deflected off Sarai Linder and into the net.
The game’s defining moment came just before the break when Wamser was sent off for a deliberate handball on the goal line, stopping a Blackstenius strike destined for the net. VAR confirmed no offside in the buildup, and Wamser exited the field in tears.
Fridolina Rolfö converted the resulting penalty with confidence to mark her 100 international appearances, giving Sweden a 3-1 lead and reducing Germany to ten players. Wamser, already filling in for the injured Giulia Gwinn at right-back, will now miss the quarter-final and potentially the semi-final due to suspension.
Germany struggled to mount a comeback in the second half, with their attack blunted and midfield overrun. Sweden sealed the win late on as Lina Hurtig tapped home from a Johanna Rytting Kaneryd cross, wrapping up a memorable evening for the Swedes.
Sweden will now face the runners-up of Group D—currently England—in the quarter-finals, while Germany are set to meet Group D leaders France, assuming results stay unchanged.
Historic Win for Poland as Denmark Exit
Elsewhere in Group C, Poland Women recorded their first-ever win at a Women’s Euro, defeating Denmark Women 3-2 in a thrilling but ultimately inconsequential encounter in St. Gallen, as both teams were eliminated.
Spanish-born forward Natalia Padilla was the star of the show, scoring one goal and assisting two more to help Poland make history in their debut tournament.
Padilla opened the scoring in the 13th minute, smashing home a rebound after Ewa Pajor’s initial shot was saved. Minutes later, she turned provider with a pinpoint cross for Pajor to nod in Poland’s second.
Denmark’s night worsened when captain Pernille Harder was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury midway through the first half.
Janni Thomsen gave Denmark hope with a goal before the hour mark, her long-range strike slipping through the hands of Polish goalkeeper Kinga Szemik. But Poland restored their two-goal cushion through Martyna Wiankowska, who fired in Padilla’s deflected pass off the underside of the crossbar.
Signe Bruun struck late to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finish, but Poland held on for a landmark victory in their final group match.
Women’s Euro 2025 Quarter-Finals
July 16: Norway vs Italy — Geneva, 8pm
July 17: Sweden vs Group D Runner-up— 8pm
July 18: Spain vs Switzerland — Bern, 8pm
July 19: Group D Winner vs Germany — 8pm