Switzerland beat Iceland 2-0 in a breathless encounter in Bern. The result means that Iceland are the first team to be knocked out of the competition.
After Norway’s victory in the earlier kick off Switzerland knew that defeat on Sunday night would leave them relying on results elsewhere in the final match day to keep their UEFA EURO 2025 campaign alive. The earlier result had also meant that Iceland would be eliminated if they lost to the Swiss.
Switzerland made two changes from the team that lost 2-1 in the opening match against Norway. Pia Sundhage dropped two youngsters, a 22 year old and an 18 year old in Riola Xhemaili and Noemi Ivelj to the bench. And in their place came a 22 year old and an 18 year old in Svenja Fölmli and Sydney Schertenleib.
Iceland were looking to bounce back after a shock defeat in their opening game to Finland, a side 12 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings. With Hildur Antonsdottir suspended Iceland were forced into at least one change, in the end they made two.
In Antonsdottir’s place came West Ham’s Dagný Brynjarsdóttir while Leicester City’s Hlín Eiríksdóttir also dropped out and Agla Albertsdóttir started on the wing. Despite having to be withdrawn in the first match, captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir was fit to return to the starting line up.
The Lineups
SUI: Peng; Riesen, Maritz, Stierli, Calligaris, Beney; Vallotto, Wälti, Reuteler; Fölmli, Schertenleib
ISL: Rúnarsdóttir; Arnardóttir, Viggósdóttir, Sigurðardóttir, Árnadóttir; Jóhannsdóttir, Vilhjámsdottir, Brynjarsdóttir; Albertsdóttir, Jónsdóttir, Jessen
The Action
Sunday was a far more temperate evening in Bern than the previous match day for this two. The night was punctuated by rainfall offering brief respite from the heat. Under skies darkened by clouds within a minute Iceland had the hosts under pressure.
Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s long throw caused havoc in the host’s box. The throw was dealt with unconvincingly by the Swiss defence and the ball dropped to Iceland centre back Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir, whose effort on the half volley rattled the bar.
Switzerland began to control the game as the minutes ticked by. From the stands the Icelandic faithful were doing their best support their players with their iconic thunder clap. After the 20 minute mark Iceland were pressing higher and higher up the pitch.
Just before the half an hour mark Switzerland thought they were ahead. Smilla Vallotto lofted a corner into the box and Fölmli headed the ball goalward, before Viggósdóttir inadvertently directed the ball into her own net. However VAR was called to judge the goal. Upon the referee’s inspection it became clear that Fölmli had intentionally blocked the covering run of Karólína Lea Vilhjámsdottir leaving Switzerland with a free player in the box. The goal was disallowed.
Iman Beney nearly sent the crowd wild with a vicious effort on the stroke of half time. A bouncing ball came to the Manchester City winger on the edge of the box, Beney blasted the ball with power only for the ball to find the side netting, despite the crowd mistakenly cheering what they had erroneously identified as their side taking the lead.
Iceland started the second half in a similar way to how they began the first, connecting with the crossbar. After a scrappy passage of play Iceland won a free kick just outside the box. Karólína Lea Vilhjámsdottir let fly from distance with her wicked shot swerving and dipping before grazing the top of the crossbar. Switzerland responded on the counter, as Fölmli found space in behind the Iceland back line but could also only find the side netting when searching for the target.
Substitute Leila Wandeler made an instant impact on the match just before the hour mark. Her ball into the box was met by the head of Beney, whose inventive looping header had to be saved by Cecilia Rán Rúnarsdóttir. The match grew in physicality with every notch of tension that ramped upon minute on minute as the match ventured ever closer towards a result.
With just over 15 minutes to play Iceland should have been ahead, another long throw into the box from Jónsdóttir left the home side at sixes and sevens. A glancing header from Brynjarsdóttir ensured the ball continued into the box. With the goal gaping Vilhjámsdottir was unable to connect with the ball when any connection would have resulted in a goal.
They would be made to rue their missed opportunities as Switzerland took the lead moments later. Wälti picked out Schertenleib on the edge of the box, the Barcelona youngster turned and played a sumptuous ball in between the lines. Géraldine Reuteler running from deep, gave the goalkeeper the eyes and calmly slotted home into the far corner to an explosion of noise from the partisan crowd.
Switzerland almost doubled their lead as Wandeler, again involved, cut inside and fired on goal with her spectacular effort bouncing off the top of the bar. Wandeler nearly expertly found Vallotto in acres of space with an Iceland pushing for an equaliser bent out of shape minutes later. And but for an excellent last gasp challenge from Gudrún Arnardóttir she likely would have. Alayah Pilgrim stung the palms of Rúnarsdóttir as Switzerland pressed for a second.
Substitutes changed the game for the hosts and another doubled their lead in the 90th minute, Pilgrim denied moments before would insist this it. She received the ball on the counter and once again Wandeler found her attacker flying through on goal. Pilgrim cut back onto her right foot and found the bottom corner. The goal ended any hope Iceland had of advancing and the hosts could celebrate with their tournament very much alive and kicking.
Switzerland Player Ratings
Livia Peng – 7/10 – Positioning off her line was smart and she did well with the ball at her feet.
Nadine Riesen – 8/10 – Aggressive in her defensive play and in attack, won her duels more often than not with her manager grateful for her defensive awareness. The Eintracht Frankfurt star has enjoyed an impressive tournament so far.
Noelle Maritz – 7/10 – Had a number of impressive early passes. Got into an unnecessary altercation with Albertsdóttir and was lucky not to be booked. Toed the line of overzealous gamesmanship and sometimes crossed it.
Viola Calligaris – 8/10 – Relished the ding dong battle with Jónsdóttir where both gave as good as they got. Defended from late runs into the box by Brynjarsdóttir extremely well. Made more tackles than anyone.
Julia Stierli – 6/10 – Had an early header go over but was a great presence in both boxes.
Iman Beney – 8/10 – A willing runner with lighting quick feet came back to defend against Jónsdóttir late in the first half when the Angel City player seemed to have the goal at her mercy.
Lia Wälti – 7/10 – Kept things ticking in the middle of the park, and provided stability for her side, a stability the opposition lacked.
Smilla Vallotto – 7/10 – Vallotto’s delivery from set pieces was extremely accurate perhaps should have scored late on but hesitated on the ball.
Géraldine Reuteler – 8/10 – Recycled possession well and took her goal extremely brilliantly.
Svenja Fölmli – 7/10 – Tried to make something happen for her nation whether that be inside or outside the confines of the rule book.
Sydney Schertenleib – 8/10 – At times she looked like a Spaniard in the Swiss midfield such was the ease with which she used the ball. Shot when she should have passed late in the first half but set up the opening goal wonderfully.
Substitutions:
Leila Wandeler (56′ for Svenja Fölmli) – 9/10 – Wandeler had the type of impact a manager wants in her substitutions, phenomenal cameo from the bench.
Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (56′ for Julia Stierli) – 7/10 – Played well after coming onto the pitch.
Alayah Pilgrim (78′ for Nadine Riesen) ) – 7/10 – Scored a magnificent goal to double the lead.
Iceland Player Ratings
Cecilia Rán Rúnarsdóttir – 7/10 – Looked assured coming for balls into the box and made an exceptional save from Beney’s looping header.
Gudrún Arnardóttir – 6/10 – Was nutmegged by the impressive Schertenleib in the closing moments of the first half. Made an utterly incredible goal saving challenge with minutes remaining.
Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir – 8/10 – Did well overall, it was tough for her to affect the match from centre back and it got away from her side. Had more defensive actions than any other player almost nabbed a goal late on.
Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir – 7/10 – Her half volley in under a minute was expertly executed and she was unlucky to see it ricochet off the crossbar.
Guðný Árnadóttir – 6/10 – Was withdrawn in the first half after pulling up with injury and was visibly and understandably frustrated.
Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir – 4/10 – Did not make an accurate pass until after the 20th minute. Picked up an unnecessary yellow card early on after a poorly timed challenge on Wälti, would have infuriated the manager after an unnecessary red card cost them against Finland. Also had the least touches of any player to have played the full first half.
Karólína Lea Vilhjámsdottir – 6/10 – Struggled to get involved but had flashes of brilliance. Should have scored only minutes before Switzerland took the lead.
Dagný Brynjarsdóttir – 7/10 – Provided some of the bite that Iceland had been missing against Finland. Scored the winner the last time Iceland won a match at a EUROs, now 12 years ago, the wait goes on.
Agla Albertsdóttir – 6/10 – Appeared lucky not to go in the book after kicking out at Maritz.
Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir – 7/10 – Her long throw was once again an asset for her nation, she looked intent to take the match to the hosts from the off. Worked extremely hard in defence.
Sandra Maria Jessen – 6/10 – Positioned her body excellently from a throw early in the first half and left Wälti with only a memory of her. Was otherwise quiet.
Substitutions
Sædís Rún Heiðarsdóttir (34′ for Guðný Árnadóttir) – 6/10 – Did well to come into the game with little adoo.
Hafrun Rakel Halldorsdottir (65′ for Agla Albertsdóttir) – N/A –
Katla Tryggvadóttir (81′ for Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir) – N/A –
Áslaug Gunnlaugsdóttir (81′ for Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir) – N/A –
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Leila Wandeler
One of Pia Sundhage’s early second half substitutions who proved to be a masterstroke. She created numerous chances as well as rattling the bar with an effort of her own. Wandeler also set up Pilgrim for the winner, the definition of an impact sub and the type of performance that makes to sit up and take notice.
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