In a moment of sheer drama at Euro 2025, Riola Xhemaili's injury-time equalizer secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Finland, propelling the host nation into the quarter-finals and crushing Finnish hearts. The Swiss needed only a point to advance, but Finland's late penalty had them on the brink of an upset before Xhemaili's intervention.
The match, played in front of an expectant home crowd, saw Switzerland start with purpose. They created several near misses, with dangerous crosses and a deflected effort from Sydney Schertenleib testing Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen. However, Finland's defense held firm, and the score remained level, a situation that kept the hosts on edge. Just before halftime, Eveliina Summanen's dangerous cross found Eva Nyström, whose effort was saved by the alert Livia Peng.
Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage made decisive changes, bringing on Ana-Maria Crnogorčević and Leila Wandeler, a pair who had previously turned the tide against Iceland. These substitutions gave Switzerland greater control, but the elusive opening goal remained out of reach. With just 11 minutes remaining, disaster struck for the Swiss when Viola Calligaris fouled Emma Koivisto, earning Finland a penalty. Natalia Kuikka calmly stepped up and sent Peng the wrong way, silencing the home crowd and putting Finland ahead.
As the clock ticked down, Switzerland launched a frantic wave of attacks. In the second minute of added time, their efforts paid off. Geraldine Reuteler fired a low shot across the face of the goal, and Xhemaili, who had come on as a substitute in the 81st minute, was perfectly positioned to tap it in, sending the crowd into raptures.
Switzerland's dramatic qualification means they finished second in Group A behind Norway. They are likely to face world champions Spain in the quarter-finals. For Finland, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, as they were within touching distance of the knockout stages. Geraldine Reuteler was named Player of the Match.
