Sweden Beats Germany, Tops Group C at Euro 2025 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Sweden delivered a commanding 4-1 win over Germany in the Women’s European Championship. The victory, aided by a red card to Carlotta Wamser, secured Sweden top spot in Group C. With the result, Sweden avoids facing tournament favorites Spain in the semifinals.
Quick Looks
- Final Score: Sweden 4, Germany 1
- Group Result: Sweden tops Group C with 9 points
- Historic Win: First time Sweden beat Germany in the Euros
- Red Card: Carlotta Wamser sent off in 32nd minute
- Goal Scorers: Blackstenius, Holmberg, Rolfö (pen), Hurtig
- Germany’s Firsts: Conceded 4 goals for the first time in Euro history
- Next Round: Sweden to face Group D runner-up
- Germany’s Opponent: Group D winner — France, England, or Netherlands
Deep Look
Sweden Dismantles Germany 4-1 in Historic Euro 2025 Clash
In a stunning display of dominance, Sweden overpowered Germany 4-1 in a Group C showdown at the UEFA Women’s European Championship 2025, delivering a historic result that reshaped the knockout stage landscape. The emphatic win was not only Sweden’s first-ever victory over Germany in European Championship play but also a statement of intent as they head into the quarterfinals full of confidence.
Saturday’s match was billed as a clash of titans. Germany entered the tournament as a record eight-time European champion, while Sweden, long considered a major contender, had already secured two wins and was looking to top the group. With both teams having qualified for the knockout rounds, this match was all about positioning—and pride. What followed was one of the most dominant performances of the tournament so far.
Early Drama: Germany’s Fast Start, Sweden’s Swift Response
Germany started the game on the front foot. Within the first ten minutes, they exploited space behind the Swedish defense with sharp passing and movement. In the 7th minute, Carlotta Wamser threaded a beautiful through ball to Jule Brand, who made no mistake with her finish. It was a textbook German goal—fluid, fast, and clinical. More significantly, it was the first goal Sweden had conceded in the tournament.
But Sweden, rather than retreating, responded with composure and tactical clarity. Just five minutes after Brand’s opener, Stina Blackstenius leveled the score with a brilliant solo effort. The Arsenal striker picked up the ball in midfield, surged past two defenders, and fired low past Ann-Katrin Berger. The goal shifted the momentum entirely, waking Sweden into life and rattling the German backline.
In the 25th minute, 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg gave Sweden a 2-1 lead in bizarre fashion. Sprinting down the right wing and into the box, she collided with German defender Sarai Linder, and the ball deflected awkwardly off Holmberg’s shin and rolled into the net. While fortunate in execution, the goal reflected Sweden’s relentless attacking pressure. It was Holmberg’s first senior international goal—a milestone moment for a player who only recently graduated from high school.
Wamser’s Red Card Changes the Game
The turning point came in the 32nd minute when Carlotta Wamser, already credited with Germany’s assist, turned from hero to villain. With Sweden threatening again, Fridolina Rolfö sent a shot toward goal. Wamser instinctively extended her arm on the goal line, blocking the ball and denying a clear scoring opportunity. The referee had no hesitation—straight red card and penalty to Sweden.
The moment encapsulated Germany’s unraveling. Giulia Gwinn, Germany’s injured captain and Wamser’s intended replacement, comforted the young defender as she exited in tears—an emotional symbol of a match that had slipped away too quickly.
Rolfö, calm under pressure, stepped up and converted the penalty, drilling the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 3-1. The goal effectively ended Germany’s challenge, with their numerical disadvantage leaving them overwhelmed.
Sweden’s Tactical Mastery and Relentless Depth
Coach Peter Gerhardsson deserves immense credit for Sweden’s tactical approach. Despite conceding early, his squad remained composed, switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a fluid 4-3-3 that allowed Sweden to overload the flanks and push Germany’s defense deep. Sweden controlled possession, pressed aggressively, and exposed the gaps created by Germany’s disjointed midfield.
Even after slowing down in the second half, Sweden never looked out of control. The midfield trio, led by Filippa Angeldahl, dictated the tempo, while Blackstenius and Rolfö continually stretched the defense. With Germany down to ten, Sweden patiently waited for spaces to open.
In the 80th minute, substitute Lina Hurtig added a fourth goal, tapping in a rebound to seal the result. It marked the first time Germany had ever conceded four goals in any European Championship match, including qualifiers. It was a record-breaking, humbling night for one of football’s most decorated teams.
Implications for the Knockout Rounds
With the win, Sweden topped Group C with a perfect record—three wins from three matches and a goal differential that emphasizes both their firepower and defensive resilience. Topping the group means they avoid a potential semifinal matchup with Spain, who are widely regarded as tournament favorites after winning the 2023 World Cup and breezing through their group stage matches.
Instead, Sweden will face the runner-up from Group D, a spot still being contested between England, France, and the Netherlands. All three teams pose a threat, but the Swedes will take confidence from their form and historic win heading into the quarterfinals.
Germany, despite advancing to the next round, will have a more challenging path. They now face the Group D winner, and if current form holds, that opponent could be France, a squad loaded with talent and tactical depth. For Germany, questions will be asked about their defensive structure, disciplinary discipline, and ability to recover from a crushing defeat.
What’s Next for Sweden?
Sweden has all the ingredients of a title-winning team—balance, depth, experience, and a rising new generation. The emergence of players like Holmberg, combined with the continued brilliance of veterans like Blackstenius and Rolfö, gives Sweden a unique edge. If they maintain this momentum and tactical discipline, a long-awaited European title could finally be within reach.
The 2025 Women’s Euro is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and entertaining editions in history, and Sweden just issued a warning shot to every contender. The road to glory is far from over—but if Saturday’s performance is any indication, Sweden intends to walk it with purpose and power.
Sweden Beats Germany Sweden Beats Germany
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