Switzerland 2-0 Iceland: Hosts Eliminate Iceland and Stay Alive in Group A
Switzerland kept their hopes of reaching the Euro 2025 quarter-finals alive with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Iceland in Bern on Sunday, while Iceland became the first team officially eliminated from the tournament.
Second-half goals from Geraldine Reuteler and Alayah Pilgrim secured the crucial three points for the hosts at Wankdorf Stadium, moving them up to second place in Group A with one round remaining.
Switzerland Leave It Late but Deliver in Front of Home Fans
After a frustrating opening half in which they had a goal disallowed, Switzerland finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Sydney Schertenleib, just 18 years old, produced a moment of magic by swiveling away from pressure and threading a perfect through ball to Reuteler, who calmly slotted past Cecilia Runarsdottir to make it 1-0.
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With Iceland pushing for an equalizer to keep their slim knockout hopes alive, Pilgrim sealed the result in the 89th minute. Her deflected shot from the edge of the area left the Iceland goalkeeper with no chance and sent the home fans into raptures.
Controversy in the First Half
Switzerland thought they had taken an early lead when Glodis Perla Viggosdottir inadvertently turned a header into her own net, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review. The referee determined the Iceland captain had been unfairly blocked in the buildup.
Fortunately for the hosts, the decision would not prove decisive, as they found their breakthrough in the final 15 minutes of the match.
Beney and Schertenleib Shine Bright
While Reuteler was once again crucial with a key goal, it was Iman Beney, the newly signed Manchester City full-back, who truly stood out. The 18-year-old was a constant threat down the right flank, combining defensive tenacity with attacking flair.
Beney nearly scored in the first half with a fierce long-range effort that rippled the side netting and later rattled the crossbar following Reuteler’s goal. She also forced a diving save from Runarsdottir, showcasing the quality that caught the eye of WSL scouts.
Meanwhile, Schertenleib’s assist made her the third-youngest player to record an assist in a Euros match since 2013, following in the footsteps of Norwegian stars Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen.
Iceland’s Dismal Euros Run Continues
It’s another disappointing European Championship for Iceland, who have now exited the tournament at the group stage for the third time in a row. Their winless streak at the Euros has stretched to nine matches (three draws, six losses), and they’ve now failed to score in both group games.
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