Eva Nyström and Oona Siren’s Finland clinched a 1-0 victory against Dagný Brynjarsdóttir’s ten-player Iceland in the opening match of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 on Wednesday evening.
The 14th edition of the tournament, held in Switzerland for the first time, got underway at Stockhorn Arena, Thun. And with West Ham United women’s team’s Finnish duo starting, the Group A clash was settled by Katariina Kosola’s stunning 70th-minute strike.
The No9 showed tricky feet to cut in from the left and curl a terrific effort into the top-right corner. The opening goal of the tournament and one that proved to be enough to earn Finland their first win at the Euros since 2009.
Up until the goal, the main talking point came just before the hour mark when Hildur Antonsdóttir was shown a second yellow card for an off-the-ball challenge, leaving Iceland to battle with a player fewer for the final 30 minutes.
Brynjarsdóttir, representing her country at her fourth European Championships, replaced Sandra Jessen on 62 minutes and was straight into the thick of the action. Our No10 made an intelligent run before teasing a cross into Guðrún Arnardóttir, whose flicked effort deflected behind.
Despite late pressure from Iceland and more than six minutes of second-half stoppage time played, Finland held on to get their campaign up and running.
They will strive to make it back-to-back victories when they face Norway on Sunday 6 July (kick-off 5pm BST) at Stade Tourbillon, Sion. Meanwhile, Iceland will hope to bounce back against hosts Switzerland at Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, on Sunday 6 July (8pm BST).
Elsewhere, in action on Thursday is defender Amber Tysiak, who kicks off her Euros campaign with Belgium at Stade Tourbillon against Italy (5pm BST).
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