Icelanders are eliminated: Switzerland breathes a sigh of relief after European Championship success

Icelanders are eliminated Switzerland breathes a sigh of relief after European Championship success 06.07.2025, 23:34

Thanks to Frankfurt's Géraldine Reuteler, Switzerland can dream of reaching the European Championship quarterfinals. After several upsets, salvation came just in the final minute. Their opponents, Iceland, were eliminated.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Géraldine Reuteler caused a collective roar of joy among European Championship hosts Switzerland. The 26-year-old midfielder scored the opening goal in the 76th minute of a 2-0 (0-0) victory against Iceland in Bern. Coach Pia Sundhage's team thus secured their place in the quarterfinals on the final matchday, while Iceland was eliminated. Norway is safely through to the quarterfinals after a 2-1 (1-1) win against Finland.

Alayah Pilgrim scored Switzerland's second goal in the 90th minute. A draw against Finland in Geneva on Thursday (9:00 p.m.) will be enough for Switzerland to advance to the knockout phase.

The match on the wet pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium was hard-fought for a long time, at times heated. Sveindis Jonsdottir escaped a warning after a rough kick to Reuteler's foot, but three teammates and coach Thorsteinn Halldorsson received yellow cards (for complaining).

Hit the crossbar after 45 seconds

The Icelandic women also made their first impression in football. Just 45 seconds into the game, Ingibjörg Sigurdardottir woke up the Swiss with a shot that hit the crossbar.

The other excitement in the first half came from the other side. Iceland's captain Glodis Viggosdottir headed the ball into her own net, but Svenja Fölmli had used her body too forcefully beforehand. Video review silenced the goal-scoring cries that echoed through Bern.

Two powerful long-range shots caused a stir shortly before and after the break. Iman Beney's effort hit the side netting, and Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir's free kick clipped the crossbar of the Swiss goal.

As the final quarter of an hour approached, Reuteler struck first. After a brilliant pass from super-talented Sydney Schertenleib, she calmly slotted the ball into the Icelandic goal. After that, the Swiss missed several chances to decide the game, including a shot by Leila Wandeler that only hit the crossbar. Only in the final minute did substitute Pilgrim bring salvation to the football nation.

Ingenious lifter leads Norway to happiness

In Sion, an early goal and a brilliant lob secured Norway's victory against underdogs Finland. Eva Nyström (3rd minute/own goal) and Caroline Graham Hansen (84th minute), who brilliantly lobbed the ball into the net after a solo effort, scored in the somewhat flattering victory. Oona Sevenius (32nd minute) equalized for the strong Finnish side.