Our matchday three recap covers all the action from Group C on Friday. As Sweden took a decisive victory over Denmark while Poland made their historic European Championship bow in a spirited defeat to Germany.
The Halfway Line was watching it all, ready and raring to break it all down into bite sized chunks in our matchday three recap.
Sweden see off Denmark as Asllani makes history
Sweden beat Denmark 1-0 in Geneva in a tight match, which Peter Gerhardsson’s side would have felt they perhaps should have put to bed before the end. Filippa Angeldahl stole the show for Sweden, her six shots were more than any other player on the pitch.
The Real Madrid midfielder took her goal extremely well, combining with Sweden legend Kosovare Asllani who made her 200th appearance for her nation against Denmark. Asllani laid the ball off to an onrushing Angeldahl who fired a storming shot into the far corner. Rather fittingly the former Manchester City midfielder scored the winner to defeat the future Manchester City head coach.
VAR reared its proverbially ugly head once more in this one within the first ten minutes. Its intervention had delayed the action after a promisingly fiery start. The four and a half minute delay came after Madelen Janogy handled the ball in the box when defending a set piece as she fell to the ground. The referee was called to the screens but deemed the on-field decision correct, no penalty. The reason was confirmed as Stine Ballisager was deemed to have tripped Janogy causing her to fall into the ball.
As for Denmark, they showed enough to give them hope against Germany up next. Captain Pernille Harder was dangerous and was a crossbar’s width away from stealing a point for her nation when she let fly from outside the box with minutes remaining. Impressive performances from Maja Bay Østergaard and Frederikke Thøgersen are also cause for optimism.
Poland make history but Germany secure all three points
It is one thing making your European Championships debut but how about making your debut against the eight time champions of the competition? That was the unenviable task that faced Nina Patalon’s charges on Friday night. And yet Poland stood up to that challenge for large periods and defended like a team who had graced the major tournament stage once a day and twice on Sunday for many a year.
But the occasion was tempered somewhat after Giulia Gwinn sustained a nasty looking injury. She was forced to come off in the first half against Poland. A miserable end to the night she captained of her nation at a major tournament for the first time.
Poland impressed with Europe watching on their first outing on a European stage, holding Germany to a score less opening 45 minutes. The Poles even had the gall to conjure a couple of chances of their own. But as is so often the case, Germany would find a way, and it was a slice of Jule Brand brilliance that gave them the lead, curling the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
Ewa Pajor came close to her nation’s first tournament goal in response dummying a shot to dupe Rebecca Knaak, who may still be sliding. Pajor took aim and for the briefest moment it seemed to open up for Poland’s captain but her effort stung the palms of Ann-Katrin Berger. Not long after Germany doubled their advantage with a brilliant nodded finish from Lea Schüller.
Poland came close a couple of times before the end but they were unable to nab that first major tournament goal, but it’s coming.
What is next in Group C?
Next up for Poland after facing the world’s number three ranked side is the world’s number six ranked side, Sweden. Poland will know that defeat could mean the end of their UEFA EURO 2025 adventure.
Germany on the other hand will hope that they can find their flow a little quicker against Denmark who themselves will be hoping to turn their fortunes around. Bayern Munich’s star striker Pernille Harder will line up for the Danes with her Bayern team mate Lea Schüller set to lead the line for Germany.
The Halfway OnLine
If you’re not out in Switzerland, like me, then social media, as awful as it can be, is a window to the heart of the tournament on the ground. And fans like the Swedes ensure that heart is beating in perfect health and rhythm, with displays of support like this:
The Sweden fans are not playing about before their kick off v Denmark tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wMvI1i1rw3
— COPA90 (@Copa90) July 4, 2025
Asllani became the tenth player in women’s football history to reach 200 caps for her nation today. Her team mates showed their appreciation for the attacking midfielder now playing in her fifth EUROs and rightly so:
Marking 200 caps with a win 💙💛#WEURO2025 || @KosovareAsllani pic.twitter.com/1vQv2J909L
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 4, 2025
And finally our very own Liberty Simons, saying what we were all thinking after that Polish display:
A debut to be so proud of. https://t.co/BwgQTHXTxv
— Liberty Simons (@libertysimons) July 4, 2025
You can read all of the latest news, analysis and opinion at Euro 2025 on The Halfway Line.
