The UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group stage delivered record-breaking action, as teams scored 89 goals – the highest in tournament history for a group stage – and welcomed an unparalleled 461,582 fans. The knockout phase promises high-stakes competition. Hosts Switzerland, defying odds, have reached the knock-outs.
Record-Breaking Group Stage
The UEFA Women's Euro 2025 group stage saw record-breaking action ignite the tournament. Teams scored 89 goals, setting a new record for a group stage in the competition's history. An unparalleled 461,582 fans attended matches, marking a significant milestone. This sets the stage for an intense knockout phase.
Hosts Switzerland, surprising many, secured their first quarter-final appearance. They join footballing powerhouses Spain, Sweden, France, and reigning champions England in the last eight. A dramatic 92nd-minute goal from Riola Xhemaili against Finland sealed this achievement. Her strike secured a crucial point for Switzerland, ensuring their historic advancement.
The Swiss team, buoyed by an enthusiastic home crowd, demonstrated considerable resilience and determination throughout the group stage, ultimately breaking through Finland's defence to secure their spot. Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Finland, featuring that vital stoppage-time goal, marked a momentous occasion for the team, as they progressed beyond the group stage for the first time.
The home support and astute coaching decisions significantly influenced their progression, as coaches blended young talent with seasoned players such as Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic. In contrast, Switzerland exited the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Round of 16 after a 6-1 defeat to Portugal, yet they displayed resilience in that campaign, securing important group stage victories against Cameroon and Serbia.
Key Statistics And Influential Players
Spain dominated Group B, netting a record-equalling 14 goals and showcasing their formidable attacking prowess. Key player statistics from the group stage include:
Top Scorers: Esther González (Spain) leads the Golden Boot race with 4 goals, closely followed by Alexia Putellas (Spain) with 3 goals.
Most Assists: Alexia Putellas (Spain) leads with 4 assists.
Best Defensive Record: Sweden's Jennifer Falk achieved two clean sheets.
Most Saves: Germany's Ann-Katrin Berger and Norway's Guro Pettersen share the lead with 14 saves each.
Most Interceptions/Ball Recoveries: Switzerland's Lia Wälti and Sweden's Nathalie Bjørn both made 26.
Most Tackles: Germany's Sjoeke Nüsken leads with 17 tackles.
Most Completed Passes: Spain's Patricia Guijarro completed 249 passes, effectively dictating play.
Most Fouls Committed: Germany's Elisa Senß committed 8 fouls.
The group stage also featured historic moments. Wales' Jess Fishlock became the oldest goalscorer at 38 years, 176 days. England saw six different players score against Wales, a first for the tournament.
Five decisive players are poised to make an impact in the quarter-finals:
Alexia Putellas (Spain): With 3 goals and 4 assists, Putellas combines creative brilliance with clinical finishing; her backheel assist against Italy exemplifies this. Her tournament-high 12 shots highlight a relentless threat.
Geraldine Reuteler (Switzerland): A triple Player of the Match winner, Reuteler fuels host hopes with her tackles, interceptions, and a crucial goal against Iceland.
Delphine Cascarino (France): Cascarino, with 2 goals and 1 assist, terrorises defences with her speed; her six-minute brace against the Netherlands demonstrates her game-winning ability.
Signe Gaupset (Norway): Gaupset, who scored 2 goals, adds youthful dynamism to her team.
Kosovare Asllani (Sweden): Asllani, with 1 goal and 3 assists, draws upon her 200-cap experience in crucial moments.
These players' performances could determine the outcome of closely contested knockout ties in the UEFA Women's European Championship.
Tournament Favourites
Spain remains the title favourite, holding 26.9% odds after three commanding victories. Their attacking trio – González, Putellas, and Mariona Caldentey (who has 2 goals) – consistently overwhelms defences, though a vulnerability in set-piece defence persists.
England holds 22.5% odds and benefits from a favourable bracket, avoiding Spain or Germany until the final. Lauren James offers dual-threat capabilities with 2 goals, while Alessia Russo's playmaking, including 3 assists against the Netherlands, strengthens England's bid to retain their title.
France faces a tougher path with 15.8% odds; overcoming Germany could set up a semi-final clash with Spain.
Hosts Switzerland, with 2% odds, face immense pressure against Spain but ride the wave of their home support following Riola Xhemaili's decisive stoppage-time equaliser against Finland, which secured their historic progression.
Dark horses Sweden rely on their formidable defensive solidity, having conceded only 1 goal, and Stina Blackstenius' relentless pressing.
Women’s Euro Quarter-Final Fixtures
The knockout phase commences as follows:
Wednesday, July 16, 00:30 IST: Norway vs Italy, Stade de Genève, Geneva
Thursday, July 17, 00:30 IST: Sweden vs England, Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Friday, July 18, 00:30 IST: Switzerland vs Spain, Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
Saturday, July 19, 00:30 IST: France vs Germany, St. Jakob-Park, Basel
Indian audiences can access every match via FanCode's exclusive streaming platform, available through mobile applications, connected TVs, and its official website.
