Euro 2025: Finland defeats Iceland 1-0 in tournament opener
In front of a modest crowd at Stockhorn Arena in Thun, Finland kicked off their UEFA Women's Euro Group Stage campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Iceland. The opening match saw both sides struggle to create clear chances in a messy first half; however, it changed during the second half.
The turning point came just after the hour mark when Iceland’s Hildur Antonsdottir received a second yellow card for a reckless move against Finland’s Eveliina Summanen. This left her team down to 10 players. Finland took full advantage of this, and twelve minutes later, Katariina Kosola hit a magnificent strike past goalkeeper Cecilia Runarsdottir into the top corner.
In a massive effort to retaliate, Iceland nearly found an equaliser moments later when Sveindis Jonsdottir, but her shot went wide. Adding to Iceland’s concerns, Captain Glodis Viggosdottir was forced off at halftime after earlier treatment for an injury.
Despite some empty seats in the 8,100-capacity stadium, Finland celebrated an important win, breaking an eight-match winless streak in the Euro 2009.
Up next, Finland will face Norway on Sunday at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, while Iceland look to bounce back against hosts Switzerland later that day in Bern.
