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A brilliant first half sees Sweden triumph over Germany to secure the top position in Group C.

A brilliant first half sees Sweden triumph over Germany to secure the top position in Group C.

1 hour ago
Fridolina Rolfo (18) and teammates celebrate Sweden's third goal
Fridolina Rolfo (18) and her teammates celebrate Sweden's third goal.Elyxandro CEGARRA / PsnewZ / Profimedia
Sweden has impressively claimed the top spot in Group C at the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship, defeating 10-player Germany 4-1 in Zurich, which sets up a quarter-final match against the team finishing as runners-up in Group D.

As promised, Sweden head coach Peter Gerhardsson made adjustments to his starting lineup, introducing five new players, including Fridolina Rolfo, who made her first start since her injury against Denmark over a month ago, achieving her 100th cap.

Germany, unable to depend on a draw to secure first place, started quickly, launching attacks from the outset, and Jule Brand forced a save from Jennifer Falk within the opening 20 seconds, before a dipping Lea Schuller attempt went just wide a minute later.

Kosovare Asllani missed the target from inside the box as Sweden contributed to the thrilling start, but Germany quickly regained control, with Schuller heading over before the first goal came.

A rapid attack through the center concluded with Carlotta Wamser delivering a precise pass to Brand, who calmly slotted it past Falk to give Germany the lead within seven minutes.

The German pressure continued, but with players committed forward, they left themselves vulnerable at the back just five minutes later.

Rolfo cleared the ball to Stina Blackstenius, who combined well with Asllani before the captain sent the striker on a run, and Blackstenius placed her shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to equalize.

Klara Buhl tested Falk as Germany kept posing a threat, but it was the Blagult who netted the third goal of the match midway through the first half.

Teenager Smilla Holmberg picked up the ball on the right wing and surged into the penalty area, brushing off challenges; Sarai Linder attempted a challenge, but the ball deflected off Holmberg and looped over Berger into the net.

Things worsened for Germany shortly after - Johanna Rytting Kaneryd evaded the offside trap and approached Berger before passing to Rolfo. Her shot was blocked on the line, but by the hand of Wamser, who received a straight red card.

The resulting penalty was converted by Rolfo, who sent Berger the wrong way to mark her 100th appearance with a goal.

Poor distribution from Berger on several occasions late in the half gave the Swedes some half-chances, but failing to capitalize meant the teams went into halftime at 3-1.

Germany coach Christian Wuck opted for a damage limitation strategy after the break, and his defensive setup limited Sweden to only a few attempts on target in the first 30 minutes of the second half, before Rytting Kaneryd struck a shot directly at Berger.

With 10 minutes remaining, Sweden sealed the victory definitively - a left-side cross from Madelen Janogy was redirected across goal by Rytting Kaneryd to Lina Hurtig, who finished with ease.

That goal meant the Blagult became the first team to score four goals against Germany in a Women's EURO, while extending their unbeaten streak to 15 matches.

Another victory for Sweden means they conclude with the maximum nine points in Group C and will play in Zurich on Thursday, while Germany heads to Basel for their quarter-final match next Saturday.

As it stands,France, England, the Netherlands and Wales are all potential opponents for Sweden. Germany can face any Group D team except the Welsh.

Follow UEFA Women's EURO 2025 on Flashscore.

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