Swiss advance to Euro 2025 quarters with Xhemaili’s late goal

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

Geneva, July 10 – Switzerland’s women’s football team made history on Thursday night by reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Euro 2025 tournament for the very first time. The game was played in their home country, and it ended in dramatic fashion when Riola Xhemaili scored a goal in the final moments of the match.

Switzerland was playing against Finland at the Stade de Genève. The stadium was packed with excited Swiss fans who were hoping to see their team go through to the next round. The match was very close, and for a long time, it looked like Finland would be the team to move ahead.

But in the added minutes at the end of the game, Xhemaili struck a goal that changed everything. The match ended with a 1–1 draw, but that was enough for Switzerland to move ahead in the tournament based on group points.

 First Half: Finland Takes the Lead
The match started with both teams playing carefully. Neither side wanted to make early mistakes. But as the minutes passed, Finland started to take control. They moved the ball well and created a few chances.

In the 31st minute, Finland's striker Linda Sällström managed to get past the Swiss defense and scored the opening goal. She has been one of Finland’s best players in the tournament, and she showed her class with that finish. The Swiss fans in the stadium went quiet, while the Finnish supporters began to cheer loudly.

Switzerland tried to fight back but couldn’t find a goal before halftime. The first half ended with Finland leading 1–0.

 Second Half: Switzerland Pushes Hard
After the break, Switzerland came out looking stronger. The coach made some changes in tactics and told the players to attack more. The Swiss players showed more energy and began creating chances.

Riola Xhemaili, a young midfielder who has become a fan favorite, played a key role. She helped move the ball quickly and tried to find space in Finland’s tight defense.

Time was running out, and it looked like the Swiss team would be knocked out. Fans in the stadium were getting nervous. But the team didn’t give up. They kept pressing and finally got the reward for their hard work.

 The Big Moment: Xhemaili’s Late Goal
In injury time, just before the referee was going to blow the final whistle, Riola Xhemaili found herself in the right place at the right time. After a scramble in the box, the ball came to her feet. She calmly took a shot and sent it into the back of the net.

The crowd went wild. Swiss fans stood up from their seats, cheering and waving flags. It was an unforgettable moment for the young player and the whole team.

The match ended 1–1, but the goal was enough to help Switzerland move on. Because of earlier wins and points in the group stage, the draw gave them what they needed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

 Emotional Scenes After the Match
After the final whistle, many players from both teams had tears in their eyes—some of joy, others of disappointment. The Swiss players celebrated on the pitch, hugging each other and waving to the crowd. The coach of the Swiss team looked emotional, knowing how hard the team had worked to get here.

Riola Xhemaili, who was named Player of the Match, said she was proud and happy to help her country reach this stage for the first time. She thanked the fans, the coaching staff, and her teammates.

“I just wanted to give everything until the last second,” she said. “We believed in ourselves, and now we’ve made history.”

 Group Stage Performance
Switzerland's journey to the quarter-finals wasn't easy. They were placed in a strong group and had to fight hard in every match. They won one game, drew two, and lost none. That gave them enough points to finish second in the group behind Sweden, who topped the table.

Finland, despite their strong performance in this game, did not earn enough points from earlier matches. Their loss in the first game of the tournament proved costly. They finished third and could not move forward.

Teamwork and Strategy
Much of Switzerland’s success in this tournament has come from solid teamwork and smart coaching. Their defense has been strong, and they’ve used quick passing and fast movement to surprise opponents.

Xhemaili has been a standout player, but others like Géraldine Reuteler, Coumba Sow, and Gaëlle Thalmann have also played big roles. Thalmann, the goalkeeper, made two important saves in this match to keep the team alive.

The coach, Inka Grings, said after the match that she was proud of how the players followed the game plan and stayed focused even under pressure.

 A Big Moment for Swiss Women’s Football
This match will be remembered as one of the most important nights in Swiss women’s football. For the first time in their history, the team has reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament.

The win also means a lot because Switzerland is hosting the Euro 2025 tournament. Playing in front of home fans brings added pressure, but also more support. The team has shown they can handle both.

Thousands of young fans watching from home and in the stadium now have new heroes to look up to. The moment will surely inspire more girls in Switzerland to play football and dream big.

What’s Next?
Switzerland will now play in the quarter-finals later this week. Their opponent will be decided after the final group stage games are completed. It will be a tough match no matter who they face, but with the confidence from this draw and Xhemaili’s last-minute heroics, the team will be ready.

The coaching staff will focus on recovery, training, and preparing strategies for the big game ahead. Fans are hoping the team can keep the dream alive and go even further in the tournament.

• Switzerland played Finland in their final group match at Euro 2025.
• Finland scored first in the 31st minute through Linda Sällström.
• Switzerland pushed hard in the second half but could not score until the final moments.
• Riola Xhemaili scored in added time to make it 1–1.
• The draw helped Switzerland qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time.
• The match was held in Geneva, with strong support from Swiss fans.
• The team will now prepare for their next match in the knockout round.