Euro 2025: Sweden eases past Poland and advances to quarterfinals along with Germany
A hat trick of headed goals by three different players was fair reward for relentless attacking down Sweden's right flank that left the overmatched Poland defense exposed.
Sweden had already struck the crossbar with two headers before center forward Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring in the 28th. Captain Kosovare Asllani padded the lead in the 52nd and substitute Lina Hurtig got a key third in the 77th.
That goal sent Sweden top of the standings on goal difference ahead of Germany, ensuring it only needs a draw to win the group when the teams meet Saturday. Germany also got its second win earlier, beating Denmark 2-1 after trailing at halftime.
Poland almost scored a consolation goal in stoppage time that would have dropped Sweden below Germany, but Milena Kokosz's long-range shot struck the inside of the post and went to safety.
The winner of Group C will likely avoid Euro 2025 favorite Spain's half of the knockout bracket. The group runner-up between Sweden and Germany would be on a path to meet Spain in the semifinals.
Polish struggles to shine
Poland now has two losses and no goals scored on its major tournament debut, after losing 2-0 to Germany. Captain and star forward Ewa Pajor was kept isolated by the Sweden defense, which cut off most passes seeking her out.
The only eastern European nation in the 16-nation lineup at Euro 2025, Poland had arrived on an 11-game unbeaten run, including 10 wins.
Sweden's wingers
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was a constant threat and involved in so many of her team's 60 total attacks that led to 23 attempts on the Poland goal.
Sweden got another bonus when Fridolina Rolfö — a teammate of Pajor at Barcelona — came on as a late substitute for her first action on the left flank after being a pre-tournament doubt because of an injury.
Rolfö came on to replace Madelen Janogy who had struck the bar with a header in the 12th.
Weath
er watch
The coolest temperatures of the first week in Switzerland greeted the players at the 9 p.m. kickoff in Lucerne: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius).
When Sweden beat Denmark 1-0 on Friday it had been 86 degrees (30 C) at the 6 p.m. start in Geneva.
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Major obstacle holding back Barcelona in Marcus Rashford pursuit
Barcelona are determined to sign a new left winger this summer, although their efforts have been far from successful at this stage. They had taken it for granted that Nico Williams would join, but after he turned them down in favour of signing a new 10-year contract with Athletic Club, they are back to square one. For now, a move is difficult because of the club's well-documented financial woes, but once a return to La Liga's 1:1 rule is secured, the intention is to step up their pursuit of their top target – and at this stage, that's Marcus Rashford. Advertisement Rashford will be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer, and Barcelona believe that he can be signed on a season-long loan with an option to buy. Talks are planned for the coming days, but there are internal doubts about the England international. Deco has doubts about move for Marcus Rashford As reported by Javi Miguel, Barcelona sporting director Deco is unsure about a move for Rashford. He is not convinced that the Man United man would be the best addition, which checks out considering that he is a big fan of Luis Diaz, who is another player on the Catalans' shortlist. Image via Marca However, it means that Deco is starting to lose hope that Diaz can be signed this summer, with Barcelona moving away from him as an option. This only increases the chances of Rashford being the man that is strong pursued in the coming weeks. Advertisement Rashford is holding out for Barcelona, who are his preferred choice for a summer move. There is no immediate time pressure for a deal to be completed, although Man United want to shift him as soon as possible. But they can do nothing until the player himself gives the green light, which he will only do to the La Liga champions.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wales finally wins after 19 rugby tests and 644 days
KOBE, Japan (AP) — Wales' misery is over. Wales finally won a rugby test and snapped an 18-match international losing streak when it held off Japan 31-22 on Saturday. The Welsh looked like they were going to blow it again when their 24-10 lead was cut to 24-22 by Japan with 17 minutes remaining. Advertisement But Wales used a Josh Macleod ruck turnover to get back into the Japan 22 and pressure and desperation earned a 74th-minute try for flyhalf Dan Edwards. The first-time test starter converted his try and was a perfect five-for-five off the tee. The nine-point margin and sterling defense in sweltering heat were finally enough to get Wales to fulltime, when it celebrated with hugs and cheers. Many of the team had never tasted victory for Wales. Wales had gone 644 days since its last win in October 2023 against Georgia in the Rugby World Cup. It's 18-match losing run left it tied with France's losing streak from 1911-20 as the longest by a major team in test rugby history. ___ AP rugby: The Associated Press
New York Times
30 minutes ago
- New York Times
Spain have been the best side in the Euro 2025 group stage. But that doesn't mean they'll win it
Spain's 3-1 win over Italy in Bern confirmed their position as Group B winners, maintained their 100 per cent record at Euro 2025, and also gave themselves the weakest knockout stage opponents in the quarter-final. The reigning world champions have been, without question, the best side in the group phase of the competition. But, of course, the best group stage side doesn't always end up winning it. Advertisement And that feels a particularly pertinent sentiment in Bern, scene of the greatest example in football history of the group stage kings falling short. At the 1954 World Cup, Hungary were clearly the best side in the group stage, defeating West Germany 8-3 and South Korea 9-0. It seemed unlikely anyone else would win the competition. It was even more unthinkable that one of their group stage opponents would do so. But somehow it was West Germany who beat them in the final, here at the old Wankdorf Stadium, 3-2, in the so-called Miracle of Bern. This was Spain's least impressive group stage display. They were playing at half-pace throughout much of this match, with manager Montse Tome having rotated her side and leaving out key players in attack and the full-back positions. Spain simply needed to avoid defeat, which was briefly on the cards when Elisabette Oliviero opened the scoring against the run of play. But this produced a frenetic four-minute spell of Spain dominance, which ended when Athenea del Castillo played a one-two with Alexia Putellas and then fired into the top corner, for possibly the goal of the tournament so far. It was a sudden, blatant demonstration of Spain's ability to go through the gears when required, almost a warning sign for future opponents not to dare going ahead. In the second half, a low shot from the magnificent Patri Guijarro put Spain ahead, before the rested — and somewhat missed — Esther Gonzalez came off the bench to belt home a rebound from a yard out, meaning she leads the golden boot standings on four goals. Tellingly, her closest challenger — albeit without everyone else playing three matches — is her teammate Putellas. Spain's quality in possession throughout this group stage has been phenomenal, significantly superior to anything they produced at the 2023 World Cup, when they used possession to control the match, but lacked penetration. The understanding between the attackers, particularly with the use of quick one-twos and quick triangles to get in behind opponents, has been marvellous to watch, and also highly effective. Advertisement It's not an exaggeration to say this is significantly in advance of anything the women's game has seen before — the closest thing is probably the football played by Japan during their first four matches at the World Cup two years ago, which included a 4-0 destruction of Spain, incidentally. They too played flowing combination football, with a seamlessly revolving cast popping up in goalscoring positions. There's a place in football for direct attackers dominating through one-on-one duels, as France showed in their 2-1 victory over England. But the greatest football teams always advance the game with their combination play, and this Spain belong in that category. Tome's XI for this contest was a little more direct than previously, with Salma Paralluelo up front and offering speed in behind — although that wasn't particularly effective against a deep Italian defence — and Del Castillo bringing dribbling quality from the right. But these players are likely to be used from the bench in the knockout stage, alongside Vicky Lopez, who started the tournament in the side but is now a reserve due to the return of Aitana Bonmati. The only question about Spain in the final third is whether Bonmati is at her best after her recent illness. The reigning Ballon d'Or winner hasn't looked as sharp as her attacking colleagues. The caveat to all this praise is that Spain, more so than before, do give opponents chances. Italy repeatedly launched quick breaks that should have progressed into more promising situations. They found it relatively simple to get in behind Spain, even if a couple of their chances were probably offside, and VAR would have intervened if the ball had ended up in the net. Tome seems to accept this issue as a consequence of the way her side plays, although you suspect she'll be working on the side's offside line in training before the knockout stage, as this might prove Spain's most useful form of denying opponents from getting through on goal. Like when they won the World Cup two years ago, Spain's first knockout stage contest will be against Switzerland. They were 5-1 winners in Auckland in 2023, although it's clear that Switzerland, with home advantage, are a more fearsome prospect than two years ago. Then again, so are Spain. They are likely to break Swiss hearts back here in Bern on Friday, and going down to this magnificent Spain side might be a dignified way for the hosts to exit. But who knows? As 1954 shows, in Bern, miracles can happen.
