Finland open Women's Euro 2025 with win over Iceland
Katariina Kosola scored the only goal of the game with 20 minutes remaining in Thun as Finland moved provisionally top of Group A ahead of the day's late match in baking Basel.
Temperatures hit 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) during the day at St Jakob-Park in Basel as a European heatwave moved eastwards towards nearby Germany.
But the oppressive heat which has gripped much of western and southern Europe was not present in Thun, and Finland proved to be the cooler customers.
Iceland were left without captain and star player Glodis Perla Viggosdottir at half-time, as the Bayern Munich centre-back was forced out of the match after twice needing treatment in the opening period.
And things got trickier for Thorsteinn Halldorsson's team when Hildur Antonsdottir was sent off in the 58th minute for two quick bookings, the second for stamping on Eveliina Summanen's ankle off the ball.
And Kosola rattled in the opening goal of the tournament as Finland took advantage of having an extra woman on the pitch, the Malmo midfielder cutting in and firing home past the outstretched fingers of Cecilia Runarsdottir.
That strike was enough for Finland who next face Norway in Sion on Sunday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Teenage star Estevao in spotlight as Palmeiras face Chelsea
PHILADELPHIA: Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira conceded on Thursday that his side faced an uphill battle in Friday's Club World Cup quarter-final against Chelsea, with their teenage winger Estevao in a unique position as he prepares to move to the European giants. "To say that Chelsea are better than Palmeiras is simply being realistic," Ferreira told Thursday's press conference. "They came here and bought our best player. What more can I say? But no one plays alone in my teams. We run, fight, suffer and win for each other." All eyes will be on the 18-year-old Estevao, who is set to play for the Brazilian side against Chelsea, the very club he will join after the tournament. The highly-rated winger was signed by Chelsea last year for an initial 34 million euros (US$39.97 million), with performance-related bonuses potentially taking the fee to 67 million, according to British reports. Estevao admitted the situation had been a distraction, saying, "It's been hard balancing the emotions of playing my final games for Palmeiras while also thinking about my future at Chelsea." Despite his undeniable talent, the teenager has yet to score or register an assist in the Club World Cup. Ferreira, who previously managed Chelsea forward Pedro Neto at Sporting Braga, likened the two players to each other, describing Estevao as "a spectacular kid" and noting similarities in their left-footed style and versatility. He added with a smile, "I wish him all the best — just not tomorrow." The Palmeiras boss said that Estevao remained committed to the club for the remainder of the tournament. "While he's with us, he has tasks and commitments to fulfill. After that, he'll be free to return to Chelsea. Until then, he'll give his best, and there's no better way to say goodbye than by helping us in this World Cup. "And I hope he gives his best so that Chelsea can see all his potential and quality. It will be an opportunity for him to show all his talent." Chelsea, the UEFA Conference League winners, come into the match at Lincoln Financial Field as heavy favourites, boasting a squad brimming with international stars despite missing midfielder Moises Caicedo due to suspension. Palmeiras will look to Estevao and their team unity to overcome the odds in what promises to be a compelling encounter, hoping to deliver another shock win in the tournament after Al Hilal and Fluminense knocked out Manchester City and Inter Milan respectively in the round of 16. "The fact that Chelsea are favourites does not mean that we do not also have weapons and ambition. We must face our opponents within our means, within our strategy, within our game plan," Ferreira said.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Club World Cup surprises Al Hilal, Fluminense battle for semifinal berth
Two of the surprise teams of the Fifa Club World Cup will meet in Friday's first quarterfinal between Al Hilal and Fluminense in Orlando, Fla. Al Hilal pulled off the tournament's single most notable upset so far, a 4-3 extra-time victory over English giants Manchester City on Monday. Perhaps the result shouldn't have been so surprising. With a payroll north of US$200 million, the Saudi club includes several former stars from big European clubs, including former Man City defender Joao Cancelo. And they already earned a 1-1 draw with five-time Club World Cup champions Real Madrid during Group H play. But even Al Hilal themselves recognized it would take an extraordinary effort to defeat an opponent that had won four of the previous five Premier League titles. "Clearly tonight we had to do something extraordinary," insisted manager Simone Inzaghi, who was hired before the tournament from Inter Milan, in translated remarks from his postgame press conference. "Basically, we had to climb Everest without oxygen, and we did it. We were really great. The players were exceptional." The former Santos and Benfica prospect Marcos Leonardo, 22, scored the Saudi side's first goal in the 46th minute and the last in the 112th. That was just part of a wild match that was knotted 2-2 after 90 minutes before another three goals were scored in extra time. Fluminense have been part of a broader Brazilian movement at this tournament, in which all four entrants from the South American nation reached the knockout phase. The Rio de Janiero side is one of two to reach the quarterfinals along with Sao Paulo's Palmeiras. Although Fluminense's 2-0 win over Inter Milan didn't receive as much attention as Al Hilal's triumph, perhaps that was only because neutrals have become used to seeing Brazilian teams thrive at this tournament. It was the third Brazilian win over a traditional European power after Flamengo's 3-1 win over Chelsea and Botafogo's 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain during the group stage. "Brazilian football is showing its strength," manager Renato Gaucho said, as reported by Brazilian newspaper O Globo. "European clubs have more money and can sign the best players, but on the field, what counts is attitude and commitment." German Cano scored in the third minute and Hercules sealed the win in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. In between, the 44-year-old Fabio made four saves to keep a third clean sheet of the tournament and fifth out of six in all competitions.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Spain thump grieving Portugal to make Euro 2025 statement
SPAIN showed why they are favourites to win Women's Euro 2025 by hammering Portugal 5-0 in their Group B opener on Thursday as both teams paid tribute to Portuguese men's international Diogo Jota who was killed in a car crash. The world champions were two ahead inside seven minutes in Bern thanks to goals from Esther Gonzalez and Vicky Lopez and never looked back from there, rattling in three more thanks to Alexia Putellas, another for Gonzalez and a late header from Cristina Martin-Prieto. 'What I enjoyed the most was starting quickly, starting like this allows you to be more patient and wait for Portugal who were forced to attack,' said Spain coach Montse Tome. 'I think the team did brilliantly and I'm very happy.' La Roja lead Italy, 1-0 winners against Belgium, on goal difference after showing no mercy to Portugal who were grieving compatriot Jota after his death alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in northern Spain. Portuguese fans marched to the ground ahead of the match with banners and chants honouring Jota and the tributes continued once supporters were in the Wankdorf Stadium. The capacity crowd stood for a moment's silence while a group of Portugal fans held up cards which read 'Rest in Peace', while a banner said 'thanks for everything'. 'I would like to take a moment to pay respects to Diogo and his brother and say that we're thinking of his family,' said Portugal coach Francisco Neto. 'I was assistant coach for the under-19s when he played there and we met there. We kept contact. He always knows the result (of the women's team), he followed the team and the players. This is the culture in Portugal. Today is a really, really sad day.' Rampant Spain A difficult day for Portuguese football was made worse less than 90 seconds after kick-off when Gonzalez brilliantly brought down Olga Carmona's high ball before poking past goalkeeper Ines Pereira. And 18-year-old Lopez became Spain's youngest ever scorer at a women's Euros in the seventh minute when the Barcelona winger slid home Mariona Caldentey's low cross. Captain Putellas, who missed the last Euros three years ago with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, got in on the act four minutes before the break with a brilliant touch to send Diana Gomes packing before confidently netting. Spain were relentless and Gonzalez was in the right place at the right time moments later when Claudia Pina's cross bounced back off the post, onto her and into the net. Tome had more good news in the shape of Aitana Bonmati who has recovered well enough from viral meningitis to play the final 10 minutes, by which time Spain had long since taken their foot off the gas. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati only returned to training with the Spain squad on Wednesday and her cameo is a major boost to Spain who have never won a women's European championship. And she was on the field to see Martin-Prieto complete the rout moments before the final whistle by heading in Salma Paralluelo's cross. 'She already wants to play more and it's a pleasure to have players with that kind of mentality,' added Tome. Earlier Arianna Caruso thumped in the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time to give Italy all three points against Belgium in Sion. 'It's the result we wanted. We grew into the game because we knew we had to manage our emotions for the first game,' said Italy coach Andrea Soncin. 'As the match when on we loosened up and out quality showed through.' Bayern Munich midfielder Caruso's strike was the only real highlight of a game which boosted Italy's hopes of taking the other quarter-final spot with Spain seemingly certain to top the group.
