Euro 2025: Sweden book their place in quarter-finals and eliminate Poland | OneFootball

Sweden have cruised through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 after a convincing 3-0 win against Poland. The result, which featured goals from Stina Blackstenius, Kosovare Asllani and Lina Hurtig, ultimately eliminated Nina Patalon‘s side from the competition.

Sweden booked their place in the final eight after a commanding victory over tournament debutants Poland in Lucerne. With a clinical display of aerial prowess and wide play, they controlled the game from start to finish, scoring three goals and leaving no doubt about their title ambitions. Poland’s fairytale debut comes to an end despite flashes of resilience.

Sweden pressure pays off

Sweden started brightly and asserted their authority, pinning Poland deep into their own half with wave after wave of attacking pressure. The Scandinavian side looked sharp in possession, shifting the ball quickly across the pitch and targeting the flanks with precision.

In the 12th minute, Asllani came inches from opening the scoring when her looping header grazed the crossbar. Minutes later, Madelen Janogy cut inside from the left and curled an effort that clipped the outside of the post. Poland, on the back foot, struggled to clear their lines and offered little in the way of counter-attacking threat, with striker Ewa Pajor isolated up front.

The breakthrough that Sweden worked hard for finally came in the 28th minute. After a slick one-two between Rytting Kaneryd and Asllani on the right, the Swedish captain floated a teasing cross into the box. Blackstenius perfectly timed her run and powered a header past Szemik to give Sweden the lead they richly deserved.

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Despite falling behind, Poland failed to generate any momentum. Their midfield was consistently overrun, and their attempts to build out from the back were stifled by Sweden’s high press. The first half ended with Sweden firmly in control — a team with clear intent, while Poland were left searching for answers.

Aerial dominance continues in second half

Sweden emerged from the break with the same intensity and focus that had defined their first-half performance. Any hopes Poland had of regrouping were quickly dashed as the Swedes resumed their attack, once again turning to the width of the pitch and their set-piece strength to cause problems.

Just seven minutes into the half, Sweden doubled their lead. Rytting Kaneryd, a constant threat on the right wing, surged past her marked and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. This time, Asllani met the ball with a glancing header that flew past the Polish keeper and into the far corner. It was Asllani’s 49th goal for her country — a milestone moment that highlighted her enduring class and leadership on the international stage.

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The goal deflated Poland further, who began to show signs of fatigue. Sweden rotated fresh legs into the game, with Lina Hurting among those introduced. The former Arsenal striker wasted no time making her presence felt. In the 77th minute, she met Andersson’s inswinging corner with a towering header at the near post, capping off a clinical aerial display and putting the game completely out of reach.

Sweden almost added a fourth minutes later, with Blackstenius and Angeldahl both forcing saves. The Swedish side looked assured, organised and ruthless in the air, turning every cross and corner into a scoring opportunity.

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Poland, meanwhile, continued to battle despite the scoreline. Their brightest moment came in stoppage time, when Ewelina Kamczyk unleashed a powerful strike from a distance that crashed off the post. As the whistle blew, it was clear Sweden had outclassed their opponents in every department and laid down a marker for the rest of the tournament.

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Final thoughts

Sweden’s commanding performance was a statement of intent — a display that combined tactical intelligence, physical dominance and attacking flair. With six points from two games, they march confidently into the quarter finals, their title credentials reinforced. For Poland, it’s the end of an historic first apperance at the Euros. While the results haven’t gone their way, the experience will no doubt shape the future of their growing programme. As the tournament progresses, Sweden look every bit the seasoned contenders and a few will relish the prospect of facing them in the knockout rounds.

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