Netherlands attacker Vivianne Miedema and Wales defender Rhiannon Roberts duel during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Group D match between Wales and Netherlands at Allmend Stadium Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland on July 5, 2025. Photo Credit: Priscila Bütler / SPP
Matchday one of the group stage of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship officially wrapped up on Saturday. Eight games were played over four calendar days, with each of the four groups playing their games on a unique day. The first days of competition for each group saw some upsets, some more predictable outcomes, some blowouts, and some bummers. Here’s a breakdown of the results before matchday two begins on Sunday.
The blowouts:
Portugal 0, Spain 5 — Thursday, July 3
From the moment this game began, Portugal never stood a chance. The truest rout of the tournament so far saw Spain scoring early and often — as early as two minutes in, thanks to Esther Gonzalez, and as often as five times. Gonzalez bagged a brace, and her teammates Vicky Lopez, Cristina Martin-Prieto, and the dominant Alexia Putellas found the back of the net as well. The reigning World Cup champions and No. 2-ranked team in the world will next face Belgium (No. 20) on Monday, while No. 22 Portugal has to face the Italians (No. 13), who continue to rise in the FIFA world rankings.
Wales 0, Netherlands 3 — Saturday, July 5
The Welsh national team has come a long way, and their participation in the 2025 Euros is emblematic of that; this is the first major women’s tournament Wales has participated in, and it came with a historic fight. But Jess Fishlock, well-known to NWSL fans as a longtime member of Seattle Reign, could not lead her team to victory against one of the most lethal combinations in all of international women’s soccer — Danielle van de Donk and Vivianne Miedema. Miedema’s goal, in extra time of the first half, was her 100th goal for the Dutch national team and was assisted by the formidable van de Donk. By the end of the match, the Oranje had solidly outplayed the Dragons. Wales (No. 30) will face another challenging opponent in France (No. 10), and the Netherlands (No. 11) will take on No. 5 England when Group D plays on Wednesday, July 9.
Germany 2, Poland 0 — Friday, July 4
While this scoreline doesn’t quite meet the requirements of the “blowout” category, this one was never really in doubt. Germany held possession for 70% of the game and saw an outstanding performance from attacking midfielder Jule Brand, who scored the team’s first goal in the 52nd minute and assisted the second (scored by Lea Schüller) in the 66th. Unfortunately for Germany, the team’s captain, 26-year-old outside back Giulia Gwinn, came off in the 40th minute with a knee injury that the federation confirmed will sideline her for the rest of the tournament. Germany (No. 3) will have to figure out how to manage without her as they take on Denmark (No. 12) on Tuesday, July 8, while Poland (No. 27) looks for an unlikely victory against Sweden (No. 6).
The surprises:
France 2, England 1 — Saturday, July 5
The England Lionesses knew they had a tough opponent ahead of them when they drew France as their first opponent. But the defending champions weren’t prepared for a loss. That is, however, what France handed them on Saturday, July 5, winning 2-1 and flipping the script on a team that had more possession — France had 43% to England’s 57% — and at times looked as unbeatable as ever. England technically struck first with an early goal from national team mainstay Alessia Russo, but it was ruled offside by VAR. France capitalized on its opponent’s frustration and scored twice within three minutes — a goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the 36th minute followed by a goal from Sandy Baltimore in the 39th. A late goal from England in the 87th, nabbed by Kiera Walsh, briefly put the result back up for grabs, but France edged out the win. Les Bleus, ranked No. 10, will ride high as they take on Wales on Wednesday, July 9. England, however, has to contend with a dominant Netherlands.
Iceland 0, Finland 1 — Wednesday, July 2
The Euros got off to a surprising start with the opening game between the highest and lowest ranked teams in Group A, No. 14 and No. 26, respectively. Though Iceland is a higher-ranked team, Finland controlled more possession and looked sincerely strong on the field. The game-changing moment came before the first goal scored by Katariina Kosola in the 70th minute. In the 58th minute, Icelandic midfielder Hildur Antonsdottir received a second yellow card, ejecting her from the game. She’ll be unavailable when Iceland faces the hosts, Switzerland (No. 23), on Sunday, July 6. Finland will hope to continue their winning streak, though No. 16 Norway will likely prove to be a formidable challenge.
The predictables:
Denmark 0, Sweden 1 — Friday, July 4
This game between world No. 12 and No. 6., respectively, went mostly how it was predicted. The sole goal of the game came in the 55th minute from Swedish midfielder Filippa Angeldahl, who was all over the field on Friday. She will be key to Sweden’s ability to go deep in this tournament. Their next test will be against Poland on Tuesday, July 8. The Danes, meanwhile, will take on Germany and will hope to edge out their tough competition now that the eight-time European champions are down a crucial player.
Belgium 0, Italy 1 — Thursday, July 3
Italy is home to one of the richest national soccer cultures in the world, but for a long time, the Italian women’s national team was anything but a force to be reckoned with. That’s no longer true. Over the past few years, the Italians have been climbing the FIFA world rankings, ranking as high as No. 13 at the start of the tournament. Their game against Belgium was a close one — the possession share between the two teams was almost 50/50 — but Italy’s Arianna Caruso was the difference-maker. Her goal in the 44th minute, assisted by Lucia Di Guglielmo, elevated Italy to the winner’s circle and further into the international conversation. They’ll look to continue their winning streak against Portugal on Monday, July 7, after the Belgians attempt to redeem themselves against the formidable Spain.
The bummers:
Switzerland 1, Norway 2 — Wednesday, July 2
The tournament’s hosts were hoping to open the tournament with a better start, and for a while, it looked as if they would. They were first on the board when they scored in the 28th minute, as Nadine Riesen found the back of the net. Norway tied the game in the 54th minute with a goal from Ada Hegerberg — her 50th for her national team — but Switzerland didn’t look like they were giving up. Well, until four minutes later, when an own-goal from Julia Stierli changed the mood of the game. Switzerland continued a hard fight but were unable to eke out the win. They next face Iceland on Sunday, July 6, shortly after Norway takes on Finland.
