2025 Women’s Euro: Switzerland’s fairy-tale run continues with last-gasp equaliser
Switzerland are into the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time in their history - and they left it late to get there.
Hosting this year’s Euros, the pressure was always going to be immense, but few expected the drama that unfolded in Geneva.
Finland had to win, and when Natalia Kuikka buried a penalty in the 78th minute, it looked like Switzerland’s hopes were about to unravel.
Xhemaili delivers a nation’s dream
But football writes its own stories. And on this night, it chose Riola Xhemaili as its hero.
Thrown on by manager Pia Sundhage as part of a flurry of substitutions, Xhemaili found herself in the right place at the right time.
In stoppage time, as Finland looked to see the game out, a ball came across the box, and Xhemaili pounced - poking it home in the 92nd minute.
The stadium erupted. Switzerland were through.
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The hosts believe
For a team that’s never made it this far, this isn’t just history. It’s a statement.
This is a group that hasn’t always been clinical, hasn’t always looked convincing, but they’re still standing. And on home soil, sometimes belief is enough to keep the story going.
Switzerland now move into the quarter-finals, where they’ll meet Group B winners, Spain.
It’s a daunting task. But after this comeback, anything feels possible.
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