Norway rode their luck again to beat Finland 2-1 on Sunday and sit on the brink of the Euro 2025 quarter-finals thanks to Caroline Graham Hansen.
Hosts Switzerland and Iceland meet in the late match after opening defeats and if the Icelanders fail to win, the Norwegians are through.
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“We managed to get three points somehow, but that’s what counts in championships. There’s a bit of work to do, but we’re winning, which helps,” Graham Hansen told NRK.
Twice champions Norway, very fortunate to beat the Swiss in their opener, took an early lead in Sion when Graham Hansen was given too much room on the right and her low cross deflected in off Finland’s Eva Nyström.
The Scandinavians then twice hit the woodwork as they looked to increase the lead.
But the Finns also looked dangerous at the other end and it was little surprise when the equalizer came on 32 minutes through a fine strike by Oona Sevenius – all after Norway had carelessly given the ball away.
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Finland, who edged the Icelanders 1-0 first up, finished the half the strongest and Norway were happy when the break came.
Finnish dominance continued in the second period and Eveliina Summanen struck the post from distance.
Norway then came back into it and went close through Guro
Reiten’s overhead kick and Graham Hansen. The tricky winger later found the winner on 84 minutes when her cross went in off the post.
It was hard on Finland who must now wait until the group finale on Thursday.
Finland captain Linda Sällström said: “I am so proud of the team and how we played but, at the same time, very disappointed because we lost. We had chances to score more than once, and I guess we just need to be more clinical.”
Finland’s Katariina Kosola (L) and Norway’s Thea Bjelde battle for the ball during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Group A soccer match between Norway and Finland at Stade Tourbillon. Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/dpa