Euro 2025: Day Nine Analysis and Opinion

As Group A became the first to reach its end, hosts Switzerland progressed in dramatic fashion while Norway consolidated their position to make it three wins from three...

Riola Xhemaili was the hero Switzerland needed, her stoppage time goal sending the hosts through to the quarter-finals in dramatic fashion and setting up a clash with world champions Spain, at the expense of a devastated Finland. Elsewhere, Norway rotated heavily against Iceland but still scored four and secured all nine points in a much-needed confidence boost for Gemma Grainger’s side heading into the knockouts.

Riola Xhemaili was Switzerland’s hero against Finland. Image: Andrew Yates / Sportimage

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Grainger changes paid off - and now pose a question mark

I can’t exactly be hypocritical and say it was a risk for Gemma Grainger to make as many changes as she did for Norway’s match vs Iceland, knowing a negative result set them on a potential collision course with Spain, because I suggested she do exactly that four days ago!

It was bold to take out all of Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten, plus others, but it worked a treat, with Norway cruising to what should have at least been a comfortable victory and for once progressing without a point dropped, a big tick in the box for Grainger already in her first major tournament.

Ok, it looked like it might backfire early on when Iceland went ahead from a corner, but two goals from Signe Gaupset - who became the youngest woman to score twice in a European Championships match - and another two from the more experienced Frida Maanum send Norway through as group winners, meaning a quarter-final against either Italy or Portugal, neither of which would be impossible.

For two games, it was far from spectacular, but Norway have set themselves up for a real shot at making the semi-finals, which all things considered would be a great achievement for a team which has so often underperformed, though they could have lived without the late red card for Marit Bratberg Lund.