Sweden’s forward #19 Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (R) and Poland’s defender #03 Wiktoria Zieniewicz (L) fight for the ball during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Group C football match between Poland and Sweden at the Allmend Stadion Luzern in Lucerne on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Germany and Sweden secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Euro 2025 on Tuesday, with victories over already-eliminated Denmark and Poland, respectively, maintaining their perfect records in Switzerland.
The two teams will meet in Zurich on Saturday to determine who finishes at the top of Group C. Sweden currently leads Germany on goal difference, having beaten Poland 3-0, while Germany triumphed 2-1 in Basel. Both teams have accumulated six points, with Germany qualifying for the next round with a game to spare.
Germany’s comeback was powered by Lea Schueller, who scored the winning goal in the 66th minute. The Germans had fallen behind early to Denmark, but Sjoeke Nuesken equalized from the penalty spot before Schueller’s timely strike—her second goal in as many matches. Denmark had opened the scoring with a stunning effort from Amalie Vangsgaard.
Germany head coach Wueck commented on his team’s performance, stating, “On a technical level, we struggled a lot. But the other key component that always marks out a German team took over: the fighting spirit, the will to win. It was won with our mentality.”
Germany had opportunities before Vangsgaard’s opener, with Klara Buehl’s fine 18th-minute strike ruled out for offside interference by Nuesken. They were also denied a penalty in the 40th minute when VAR overturned a handball decision in the box, ruling the offense occurred just outside the area. However, VAR eventually worked in their favor when the referee reviewed footage and awarded Nuesken a penalty after Katrine Veje fouled Linda Dallmann.
From there, Germany seized control, and Schueller’s composed finish off a Jule Brand pass secured the three points.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s dominant 3-0 win over Poland was one of the most impressive performances of the tournament. Goals from Stina Blackstenius, Kosovare Asllani, and Lina Hurtig sent Sweden into the last eight with barely a challenge from Poland, led by Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor. Sweden exuded the confidence of a team capable of causing serious damage in the knockout stages.
Asllani, who scored her 49th international goal in her 201st appearance, was quick to praise her team’s performance. She wasn’t even born when Sweden won their only major international trophy at the 1984 European Championship, but the veteran striker is now playing a central role in her country’s bid for another European title.
With both teams undefeated and in fine form, Saturday’s showdown in Zurich will be a must-watch.
