Finland kicked off their Euro 2025 campaign with a 1-0 win over Iceland at Stockhorn Arena on Wednesday. Katariina Kosola’s 69th minute effort was just enough for Finland to wrap up all three points in their opening encounter.
Rather than the hosts opening proceedings, as has become expected at major tournaments, Finland and Iceland started the Euros in Thun as both struggled to break the deadlock in a scrappy first half.
Iceland were reduced to 10 players when Hildur Antonsdottir was shown a second yellow card for stamping on Eveliina Summanen’s ankle with 33 minutes remaining.
Finland capitalised on their advantage and found the back of the net 12 minutes later when Kosola rifled a strike past goalkeeper Cecilia Runarsdottir into the top corner.
Sveindis Jonsdottir had a chance to equalise moments later following a well threaded pass from her partner but swept her effort wide.
Read: WAFCON 2025: Babajide eyes victory with Super Falcons
Even before her cameo, Kosola was the liveliest player on the pitch.
The winger, who plays for Swedish club Malmo, came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half, before forcing a diving save from Runarsdottir moments later.
She would later get a goal worthy of her performance a few minutes until finish time, sealing a highly crucial win for Finland as they opened up their European campaign.
The win also ended Finland’s eight-match winless run in the competition that stretched back to Euro 2009, when they lost to England in the quarter-finals.
Read: Chelsea’s Bright out of Euro 2025 as England future remain unclear
Meanwhile, Iceland have further cause for concern after their captain and star centre-back Glodis Viggosdottir was forced off with an injury at half-time, after requiring treatment twice.
Finland will return to action when they face Norway at Stade de Tourbillon in Sion on Sunday. And Iceland will go up against hosts Switzerland later that day in Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium.
DC is a sport reporting platform crafted to dish out reliable updates on sporting activities worldwide.
