Euro 2025: Switzerland gets late goal to draw with Finland and advance to quarterfinals

GENEVA (AP) — A stoppage-time goal for Switzerland in a frenetic atmosphere will keep the host-nation buzz going for at least one more week into the quarterfinals at the Women’s European Championship.

Switzerland's frantic wave of late attacks set up substitute Riola Xhemaili to level the score 1-1 against Finland in the second minute of added time in a tense end to Group A.

Advertisement

Switzerland only needed a draw to advance, but Finland had taken the lead against the run of play with a 79th-minute penalty by Natalia Kuikka.

Switzerland will now play its first knockout game at a Women’s Euros against the winner of Group B.

That is likely to be world champion Spain, the standout team at Euro 2025 which has scored 11 goals in two games so far.

Switzerland will get a full week of rest, though, to celebrate its achievement before worrying about the next challenge on July 18 in Bern.

The Swiss and Finns were playing for the runner-up spot in Group A as Norway had already secured top spot after two rounds. Norway rested key starters Thursday in a 4-3 win against Iceland, which had already been eliminated.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer