Euro 2025: Sweden eases past Poland and advances to quarterfinals along with Germany
- - - Euro 2025: Sweden eases past Poland and advances to quarterfinals along with Germany
July 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM
1 / 6Euro 2025 Sweden Poland SoccerSweden's Emma Blackstenius, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2025, group C, soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Lucerne, Switzerland, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP)
LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals at the Women's European Championship by beating Poland 3-0 on Tuesday, a result that also sent Germany through to the knockout rounds from their group.
A hat trick of headed goals by three different players was fair reward for relentless attacking down Sweden's right flank that left the overmatched Poland defense exposed.
Sweden had already struck the crossbar with two headers before center forward Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring in the 28th. Captain Kosovare Asllani padded the lead in the 52nd and substitute Lina Hurtig got a key third in the 77th.
That goal sent Sweden top of the standings on goal difference ahead of Germany, ensuring it only needs a draw to win the group when the teams meet Saturday. Germany also got its second win earlier, beating Denmark 2-1 after trailing at halftime.
The winner of Group C will likely avoid Euro 2025 favorite Spain’s half of the knockout bracket. The group runner-up between Sweden and Germany would be on a path to meet Spain in the semifinals.
Poland now has two losses and no goals scored on its major tournament debut, after losing 2-0 to Germany. Captain and star forward Ewa Pajor was kept isolated by the Sweden defense, which cut off most passes seeking her out.
Sweden got another bonus when Fridolina Rolfö — a teammate of Pajor at Barcelona — came on as a late substitute for her first action after being a pre-tournament doubt because of an injury.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Source: AOL Sports
