Euro 2025: Kosola''s goal secures Finland''s 1-0 win over Iceland in tournament opener

After missing three earlier chances, Katariina Kosola scored in the 70th minute to give Finland a 1-0 victory over Iceland in the opening game of the Women's European Championship on Wednesday. Kosola cut in from the left flank to curl a rising right-footed shot into the net and fully take advantage of Iceland having a player sent off 12 minutes earlier.

In the first half, the 24-year-old Kosola forced Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir into a diving save and fired two more shots just over the crossbar. Iceland's own left winger, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, who will join Angel City in the United States after the tournament, missed with a clear chance to level the game in the 75th minute. Jónsdóttir also went close deep into stoppage time.

Iceland went down to 10 players in the 58th when midfielder Hildur Antonsdóttir was shown a second yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Both teams had failed to win a game at each of their previous two Euro tournaments. Finland ended its run to make a strong move in Group A, which has no clear standout team and is widely seen as the most evenly balanced at the 16-nation tournament.

Host Switzerland was kicking off against Norway later in Basel after the official on-field opening ceremony for what is the second of 31 games in total. Basel hosts the final on July 27. Iceland was also hurt by having captain and star defender Glódís Viggósdóttir slowed by injury before being replaced at halftime. She had missed playing time in Bayern Munich's German league and cup-winning season with a knee injury.