KOSOLA STRIKE SECURES HUGE WIN FOR FINLAND IN EURO 2025 OPENER
A fantastic strike from Katariina Kosola was enough to secure Finland’s first win at the European Championships since they hosted the tournament in 2009. In a group that looked evenly-matched at the outset, they will now fancy themselves to progress.
Though Iceland were favourites to win, it was clear early on that Finland were the better organised outfit. But though Kosola threatened periodically, a lack of final-third quality meant that the teams were level at the break.
The game, though, changed in seven second-half minutes. First, Icelandic midfielder Hildur Antonsdottir was booked for a late challenge on Kosola, then, shortly afterwards, she was again tardy, landing studs on Eveliina Summamen’s metatarsus and leaving the referee with no choice but to brandish a second card.
Sensing an opportunity, Finland pushed more players forward as Iceland retreated and, on 70 minutes, Kosola cut in from the left, clipping a fine shot into the far top corner – though Cecilia Runarsdottir may wonder if she may have done better to stop it.
Iceland then created little in the time that remained, Finland recording a momentous victory that gives them a fine chance of progressing from Group A.
