Sweden win group ahead of Germany in Women’s Euros | OneFootball

Both teams have already secured quarter-final place after wins over Poland and Denmark. While Sweden went with five changes in the starting lineup, Christian Wück only brought Laura Freigang in place of midfielder Linda Dallmann.

And they did start the game with a clear intent of finishing top of the group. Jule Brand and Lea Schüller had great opportunities inside the first 90 seconds to give Germany a dream start.

But they showed no slowing down with a completely dominant performance in the first 10 minutes. Die Nationalelf’s efforts were rewarded when Brand scored her second goal of the tournament. It was also her fourth direct goal involvement in Euro 2025.

Germany’s captain Giulia Gwinn, who is out of the tournament after suffering an injury in the opening game, looks on from the bench as her replacement, Carlotta Wamser, provided the assist for the goal.

The eight-time champions were off to a great start. Two of those championship wins came against Sweden, but they lost to the Scandinvians in the 2019 World Cup. Stina Blackstenius was the scorer of the winning goal that knocked Germany out in that quarter-final tie, and Scandinavians changed the course of the game here.

After a brilliant pass by Kosovare Asllani, the Champions League final match-winner scored Sweden’s equalizer with aplomb. And that’s the end of Germany’s ascendancy in the game, which only lasted for 12 minutes.

Jennifer Falk saving Klara Bühl’s attempt was the only chance they created until they go two goals and a woman down. Sweden comically took the lead when Sarai Linder’s desperate attempt at clearing the ball ended up on the back of the net after it somehow rebounded off Smilla Holmberg.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was unplayable in Sweden’s right flank, and she created the chance that led to Sweden’s third goal. Wamser, who started the game strongly, decided to stop Fridolina Rolfö’s goal-bound strike as if she’s Ann-Katrin Berger.

The result? A red card for Wamser and a penalty for Sweden. While Rolfö got a deserved goal from the penalty-kick in her 100th appearance, Wück would certainly be more concerned about losing two right-backs for the quarter-final tie.

Wück decided not to risk losing another defender as he subbed off Rebecca Knaak at the half-time break. The Manchester City center-back was a yellow card away from suspension. Meanwhile, Rolfö, who is leaving Barcelona, was also taken off because of an injury as the second-half started with two substitutions on either side.

Sweden’s coach Peter Gerhardsson opted for resting key players instead of going for a heavy scoreline. The first clear-cut chance of the half came ten minutes from time, and Sweden once again showed their efficiency in front of the goal.

Wingers Madelen Janogy and Kaneryd combined well to set up a simple finish for Lina Hurtig. Selina Cerci nearly reduced the deficit, but her sublime attempt narrowly missed the target. A positive for Germany would be Kathrin Hendrich’s solid performance as she could fill in at right-back position in the quarter-final.

It’s only Germany’s second defeat in the group stage of European championships, and it’s also their heaviest in the competition’s history. In the other game of the group, Poland recorded their first-ever major tournament win against Denmark.

Germany will know their opponent after tomorrow’s Group D finale. England could most likely be their opponents, but there is a chance for France and the Netherlands to finish second in the group.

Finishing second also means that Germany will face tournament favorites Spain in the semi-final if they both get past their first knockout hurdle.