UEFA Women's Euro 2025: Finland secures win with 70th minute goal
Kosola cut in from the left flank to curl a rising right-footed shot into the net and fully take advantage of Iceland having a player sent off 12 minutes earlier.
In the first half, the 24-year-old Kosola forced Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir into a diving save and fired two more shots just over the crossbar.
Iceland's own left-winger Sveindís Jónsdóttir, who will join Angel City in the United States after the tournament, missed with a clear chance to level the game in the 75th. Jónsdóttir also went close deep into stoppage time.
Iceland went down to 10 players in the 58th when midfielder Hildur Antonsdottir was shown a second yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
Both teams had failed to win a game at each of their previous two Euros tournaments.
Finland ended its run to make a strong move in Group A which has no clear standout team and is widely seen as the most evenly balanced at the 16-nation tournament.
Host Switzerland was kicking off against Norway later in Basel after the official on-field opening ceremony for what is the second of 31 games in total. Basel hosts the final on July 27.
Iceland also was hurt by having captain and star defender Glodis Viggosdottir slowed by injury before being replaced at half time. She had missed playing time in Bayern Munich's German league and cup-winning season with a knee injury.
Euro 2025 started with two Nordic teams playing in the heat wave that had Switzerland sweltering since before the squads arrived in the Alpine nation.
It had cooled to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) for the 6 p.m. kickoff in Thun as electric storms threatened nearby. It was just 52 degrees (11 C) and cloudy in Iceland's capital Reykjavik though 73 degrees (23 C) in Helsinki.
Finland last won a game at the Women's Euro in 2009, while Iceland had drawn 1-1 in each of its three group-stage games at Euro 2022 and lost all three at the 2017 edition.
Jónsdóttir's fast-driving runs and long throw-ins were a regular threat, and two of Iceland's most dangerous attacks were denied by Finland defender Emma Koivisto blocking the ball.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
recommended
Get more from UEFA Women's EURO Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
England: Sarina Wiegman hails Hannah Hampton's Euro 2025 'fairytale'
Sarina Wiegman has hailed Hannah Hampton's journey at Euro 2025 as a 'fairytale'. Hampton enjoyed an incredible tournament after being made England's No1 on the eve of the Euros, with Mary Earps retiring. Hampton excelled throughout the Euros and was named player of the match in the final, saving two penalties as England beat Spain. And asked about Hampton's tournament, Wiegman said: 'Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible. 'Starting the tournament and losing the first game, there was so much riding on every game, we had five finals. 'She had to step up and I think she has been amazing. It's a little bit like a fairytale to stop those two penalties in the final.' England's final victory over Spain was in keeping with their run during the knockout stages as they edged another rollercoaster game. Spain took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Mariona Caldentey, but the Lionesses fought back. Alessia Russo equalised early in the second half, heading home Chloe Kelly's cross, and England battled their way to extra-time. Hampton's heroics got England over the line and Wiegman says she always had faith that the Lionesses would be European champions. 'To be honest, tonight I didn't have that,' said Wiegman, when asked if she had any doubts that England could go all the way. 'I had a couple of times in the Sweden game and the Italy game and I thought: 'We might keep going home tomorrow'. 'But we still had a couple of minutes to go, it's getting tight. But it's not a lack of belief, it's like... we're getting really close now. We had to score. 'And against Sweden, of course, when we had the penalty shootout, when we missed a couple of penalties, we were lucky that they missed theirs.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Agyemang can inspire next generation of Lionesses, former coach says
Lioness Michelle Agyemang has sealed her place as an inspirational heroine for the next generation of girls who want to play football, the coach at her old local club has said. Youngsters from Agyemang's hometown gathered at a small community centre in South Ockendon, Essex, to cheer on the Lionesses to victory at the Euro 2025 final. The biggest applause was for the 19 year-old striker who just a few years ago was also playing at Brandon Groves FC. Agyemang was named The Young Player of the Tournament on Sunday as England triumphed on penalties against Spain after a 1-1 draw. On Sunday, Roy Enright, 45, who manages the girls' team of under 13-year-olds, said: 'We are proud of Michelle, obviously, but we are also proud of our our girls' team here who play and train every week. They are consistent. 'Michelle's success and the Lionesses' success will only help that and it will only drive our girls on even further over the next year. It will also bring more girls into football locally as well.' He said it was 'amazing' to see Agyemang scoop the Young Player award after scoring two goals, making six attempts and having a 77.5% passing accuracy rating in the competition. Paula Howes, vice chair of Brandon Grove FC, said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' Agyemang, who had one England cap before the tournament, has been a rising star in this competition, and twice became the team's saviour with equalisers in their quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. The 19-year-old came off the bench to score crucial equalisers against Sweden in the quarter-final and Italy in the last four. She also came on as a substitute in the final as England eventually saw off Spain on penalties to retain the trophy. Agyemang was picked as young player of the tournament by the Uefa Technical Observer Group who for her outstanding impact, both individually and for England. They said: 'Michelle made a great contribution to help England reach the final. 'She came on and both times got the goals that England needed to get through.' Lena Kowalska, 12, who plays midfield for the local team, said she was really impressed and inspired by Agyemang. She said: 'It is the fact that at her age, she can already be playing in the Euros and with the top women, it just makes me feel that we could do it one day if we are hard working as well.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool close in on SPECTACULAR €78m deal
Liverpool are now close to securing a massive deal. It isn't their first of the summer and it won't be the last. Liverpool have struck some of the biggest deals anywhere this summer. Florian Wirtz arrived for a club-record amount, of course, while Hugo Ekitike wasn't too far behind that. Shop the LFC Store LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now Both full-back positions have record signings, too. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are now the most Liverpool have spent at left-back and right-back, respectively. It's been an unprecedented summer of deals for the Reds, who have moved massively to upgrade their title-winning team. What we haven't really seen yet, though, are moves in the other direction. Trent Alexander-Arnold left quickly to join Real Madrid, with Los Blancos paying a small fee for the last month of his contract. Caoimhin Kelleher and Jarell Quansah have both moved on, too, though neither were first-team regulars last season. But those regulars do have to depart - Liverpool must make room for the arrivals, after all. Now it seems like that is in fact happening as the Reds close in on a major sale. Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich Sky Sports reports that Bayer Munich and Liverpool are now very close to sealing a deal for Luis Diaz. Bayern will pay around €79m for the Colombian. That's essentially what Liverpool wanted as an asking price this summer. €80m was the quoted figure and while Bayern have avoided putting up that much, they're awfully close. Liverpool were always going to be open to selling Diaz for the right price given he's in the final two years of his contract. It's taken some time to get there - both Bayern and Barcelona saw offers rejected - but it appears an agreement is here.
