After three near misses, Katalina Kosora scored in the 70th minute, leading Finland to a 1-0 victory over Iceland in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 on Wednesday.
Kosora made an impressive move from the left and curled a shot with her right foot into the net, taking advantage of Iceland’s reduced numbers after a player was sent off 12 minutes earlier.
During the first half, the 24-year-old Kosora challenged Icelandic goalkeeper Cecilia Rúnarsdóttir, forcing a diving save and sending two additional shots just over the crossbar.
Iceland’s left winger Svaindisyonyondottir, who recently joined Angel City in the U.S., had a chance to equalize in the 75th minute but missed the opportunity, while Jónsdóttir also struggled as time wore on.
Iceland faced a setback when midfielder Hildur Antondothir received a second yellow card in the 58th minute for a reckless challenge, leaving her team with 10 players.
Neither team achieved a victory in their last two Euro tournaments.
With this win, Finland strengthened its position in Group A, thought to be the most competitive in the 16-nation tournament without a dominant team.
The host nation, Switzerland, faced Norway in Basel after the official opening ceremony, part of a tournament consisting of 31 matches. Basel will also host the final on July 27.
Iceland’s captain and key defender, Grodis Viggosdottir, had to leave the match due to an injury before halftime; she had previously missed play during Bayern Munich’s cup-winning season, suffering from knee issues.
Euro 2025 kicked off amid the heat waves in Switzerland as two Nordic teams clashed even before arriving in the alpine regions.
While an electric storm loomed nearby, the game kicked off at a comfortable 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). In contrast, it was a cooler 73 degrees (23 degrees Celsius) in Helsinki and a chilly 52 degrees (11 degrees Celsius) in Iceland’s capital.
Finland last triumphed in the women’s Euro in 2009, whereas Iceland had drawn 1-1 in all three of their group stage matches in Euro 2022, and lost all three in the 2017 edition.
Jónsdóttir’s speed and long throw-ins posed constant threats, but Finnish defender Emma Koivist made crucial blocks, preventing two of Iceland’s best chances.
Report by Associated Press.
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Fan Take: This match is significant for soccer fans as it marks Finland’s resurgence in international women’s football, breaking a lengthy winless streak in the Euros. Such developments elevate the competition and inspire hope for more thrilling matches ahead.
