Finland capitalised on an Iceland red card as Katariina Kosola's fine strike delivered a 1-0 victory in the Euro 2025 curtain-raiser.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Finland beat Iceland 1-0Antonsdottir is sent off Kosola then bags the winnerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
The winger's goal 12 minutes after Hildur Antonsdottir's second-half dismissal was enough to earn the Fins a narrow win in a tense tournament opener in Thun.
Kosola had already gone close in the opening period, forcing Iceland goalkeeper Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir into a good save, before firing a presentable chance over the top.
Iceland threatened themselves with a couple of goalmouth scrambles, but the game changed in the 58th minute when Antonsdottir was sent off for a second bookable offence, catching her opponent on the top of the foot having already seen yellow for taking Kosola out just six minutes earlier.
Finland took charge from there and Kosola made the player advantage count, driving a rasping effort into the top corner on 70 minutes to give her side a priceless lead.
The Fins avoided any late drama to seal the victory and put themselves in a fine position in Group A. This was Finland's first win at a European Championship since 2009.
AdvertisementDID YOU KNOW?
The concerns for Iceland were not limited to the result, with captain and key defender Glodis Perla Viggosdottir, who plies her trade for Bayern Munich, struggling with injury in the first half and replaced at the break. Getting back into the competition will be tricky enough after losing their first match, let alone if they have to do it without their skipper.
THE MVP
Match-winner Kosola was the key player for Finland throughout the game, causing plenty of problems off the left flank. She had threatened her goal in the opening 45 minutes before finally hitting the jackpot with a stunning second-half strike.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
Iceland will reflect on Antonsdottir's red card as the moment that the match slipped out of their grasp. They had ridden a slow start and were coming into the game when the midfielder was dismissed, leaving them in all sorts of trouble.