Switzerland narrowly qualified for the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Thursday. The host country drew 1-1 against Finland with a goal from PSV player Riola Xhemaili in injury time.
That was enough to reach the knockout stage for the first time. For a long time, there was little to worry about for the Swiss women, who, like Finland, had collected three points going into the match, but had a better goal difference.
Finland needed to win to reach the quarterfinals and therefore had to take more risks in the final phase. That paid off in the 77th minute in the form of a penalty after a Swiss foul. Natalia Kuikka coolly converted it: 1-0.
That deficit was the starting signal for Switzerland to attack. Substitute Alisia Lehmann was already close once, and in the second minute of injury time it happened. Xhemaili, who played on loan for PSV last season and will make the final move to Eindhoven next season, was in exactly the right place to finish from close range.
That decided the match in Geneva. In the quarterfinals, the Swiss will most likely face world champions Spain.
The other match between group winner Norway and the already eliminated Iceland was meaningless. Norway won that goal-rich match 4-3.