By Catherine MacKenzie (08/07/2025)
Above: Sweden’s Asllani celebrates. Photo: Svenskfotboll on X.
Germany 2 – 1 Denmark
Team news and context:
Germany were of course without captain Guilia Gwinn who picked up a knee injury in their opening game, ending her tournament prematurely. She was replaced by 21-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt defender Carlotta Wamser; they were otherwise unchanged. Denmark opted to bulk out their midfield, with both twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard starting alongside Janni Thomsen and Emma Snerle in a 4-4-2.
Scorers: Vangsgaard (26′) 0-1, Nüsken (56′) 1-1, Schüller (66′) 2-1.
Highlights:
A standout game with perhaps the most controversial refereeing performance thus far in the competition. In the twenty-first minute, Germany thought they opened the scoring through a drive into the bottom corner from Klara Bühl, but Sjoke Nüsken was adjudged to have touched the ball before it went in, from an offside position. The opener was disallowed and Germany faltered in a way reminiscent of England in their game against France, where an early disallowed goal shifted the momentum of the game.
Five minutes later, Denmark took the lead when Amalie Vangsgaard pounced on a loose ball with a powerful strike to beat Ann-Katrin Berger at her near post. Minutes later, controversy struck again as Germany had a penalty overturned. Frederikke Thogersen handled a cross in the area, but VAR intervened as the defender was outside the box.
The rest of the first half was tense as the Germans sought to recover from their first-half setbacks. Early in the second half, they finally got their goal as Nüsken converted from the penalty spot.
Perhaps the most controversial call came later, as Germany took the lead. Denmark’s Emma Snerle had gone down with a head injury, and the Portugese referee did not stop play as Jule Brand set up Lea Schüller for the winner. This was the main talking point post-match, as Denmark boss Andree Jeglertz commented:
“We need to make the rules clear. If you get a player that has a serious head injury, my view is you need to blow the whistle, you need to take responsibility as the referee. I don’t understand why she doesn’t stop the game.”
The game highlighted a couple of themes that have emerged during the tournament so far: the length of time VAR takes to make a decision, and the importance of maintaining a strong mindset in the minutes after experiencing an on-pitch setback.
Player of the match: Carlotta Wamser
Stepping in for your injured country captain is no easy feat, particularly for a young player. However, it is a feat Wamser took on with ease, making key attacking runs and dealing well with Sara Holmgaard’s runs through a busy midfield.
What next for the teams:
Germany are all but through to the quarterfinals as they face Sweden on Saturday. They top the group on goal difference. Denmark are now out of the competition; their last game will be against Poland.
Poland 0-3 Sweden
Team news and context:
According to the Swedish newspaper Fotbollskanalen, only five players in the Swedish squad currently play their club football in Sweden – it is the lowest ever number in a major tournament squad. With captain Magdalena Eriksson still struggling with injury, the same starting eleven was named as their previous game against Denmark.
Swedish head coach Peter Gerhardsson had spoken before the match about the need to keep Polish goalscorer Ewa Pajor quiet; although the same eleven started the match, the formation shifted to a 4-4-2.
Poland were forced into one change: defender Paulina Dudek (pictured) picked up a foot injury in the match against Germany. Her role was taken by Oliwia Woś.
Scorers: Blackstenius (28′) 0-1, Asllani (52′) 0-2, Hurtig (77′) 0-3
Highlights:
Whilst less controversy than the game between Germany and Denmark, Poland and Sweden provided their own excitement. For Poland, avoiding defeat was imperative to remain in the competition, howeverf from the first whistle the gulf between the teams was clear to see. Sweden controlled the game from the outset, with captain Kosovare Asllani hitting the woodwork within the first five minutes.
Sweden created many earliy chances, however the Polish defense held firm until Asllani put a perfectly weighted cross into the path of Stina Blackstenius, who headed home in the 28th minute.
The second goal came early into the second half, beginning with Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd enjoying some one-touch football with Filippa Angeldahl whilst setting up Asllani for the second headed goal of the game. The rest of the game ebbed out in similar fashion: Sweden dominated the ball, Poland were defensively strong but offered little going forward. Substitute Lina Hurtig closed the scoring with the third header of the match, giving Sweden a three-goal berth as they usurp Germany to top the group heading into the final match day.
Player of the match: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
The Chelsea playmaker was at the heart of all three headers, registering an assist alongside making seven key passes, six accurate crosses and creating three big chances.
What next for the teams:
Sweden top the group – at least until Saturday, when Germany await. Both Sweden and Germany are through to the quarterfinals, so the winner of that game will top the group and face either Netherlands, Wales, France or England from Group D.
For Poland, their first major tournament ends at the group stage. They can take some major positives from the experience, however, and they looked solid defensively for much of the match. They face Denmark in their last game of the tournament, who will be searching for the win.
Moment/player of the day
We often talk about the importance of looking after players when they experience head injuries; that became a major talking point today. When Denmark’s Snerle went down with a head injury at 1-1, the referee should have stopped play immediately. That she let the game continue let Germany take the lead whilst Denmark were down to 10, and could have delayed prompt treatment that can be pivotal in head injury treatment. The experience will hopefully form a strong reminder of player welfare in-game.
Group standings:
- Sweden- 6pts – +4 GD
- Germany – 6pts – +3GD
- Denmark – 0pts – -2GD
- Poland – 0pts – -5GD
Find the rest of our Euros catch-ups here:
Group A Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/02/weuro-2025-group-a-gameday-1-review/
Group A Gameday 2: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/06/womens-euros-group-a-norway-v-finland-switzerland-v-iceland/?_thumbnail_id=78026
Group B Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/03/womens-euros-group-b-belgium-v-italy-spain-v-portugal/
Group B Gameday 2: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/07/womens-euros-group-b-spain-v-belgium-portugal-v-italy/
Group C Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/04/womens-euros-group-c-sweden-v-denmark-germany-v-poland/
Group D Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/06/womens-euros-group-d-cymru-v-netherlands-france-v-england/
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 