Swiss move through to Euro 2025 quarter-finals with late Xhemaili goal

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GENEVA - Switzerlands Riola Xhemaili scored a last-gasp goal to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw with Finland on Thursday that sent the joyous hosts through to the quarter-finals at Euro 2025, and heartbroken Finland home.

Switzerland, who needed only a draw to advance based on goal difference, finished second in Group A behind Norway to go through to the knockout round for the first time, and will face the winners of Group B, which would be world champions Spain as things stand now.

I think we set ourselves a goal on the pitch, to write history, to go into the knockout stages, which weve never done before, Swiss captain Lia Walti said.

Finland looked to be heading for the knockout round after Natalia Kuikka scored a penalty in the 79th minute, awarded after Viola Calligariss foul on Emma Koivisto. Centre-back Kuikka calmly slotted home a low shot as Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng dived the wrong way.

But, roared on by the home crowd, the Swiss kept up the attack in the breathless dying moments and Xhemaili, a second-half substitute, scored in the 92nd minute when Geraldine Reuteler mis-hit her shot on goal and Xhemaili was there to tap it in, blowing the roof off at Stade de Geneve.

I really have to say that I didnt think that were going home because I really believed in this team, until the last second, and I knew we were going to score, Xhemaili said.

I knew that Geraldine Reuteler, she will hit the target, of course, because shes one of our best players, so I was like, just stay on the right spot in the right moment and wait until