Saturday, December 21, 2024

Euro 2025: France, Iceland and Denmark secure qualification – BBC Sport

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Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Iceland secured qualification for Euro 2025 after missing out on last year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

France, Iceland and Denmark have all secured their place at the 2025 European Championship.

The trio join Germany, world champions Spain and hosts Switzerland at the tournament next summer.

England can join them should they avoid defeat away to Sweden in their final Euro 2025 qualifier on Tuesday.

Herve Renard’s side took the lead in Dijon just after the half-hour mark when Sakina Karchaoui smashed in a top-corner drive from over 30 yards out.

Josefine Rybrink levelled for Sweden four minutes after the break but Marie-Antoinette Katoto pounced on a loose ball from a corner for a 74th-minute winner.

That result was enough to earn France a guaranteed top-two finish in Group A3, and one of the eight automatic qualification spots.

Iceland, meanwhile, earned their place in the Euros next summer with an eye-catching 3-0 victory over already-qualified Germany, courtesy of goals from Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir, Alexandra Johannsdottir and Sveindis Jonsdottir.

It ensures Iceland finish at least second in Group A4, as they bounce back from missing out on the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Former Chelsea striker Pernille Harder was among the scorers as Denmark beat Belgium

Denmark, meanwhile, took an impressive 3-0 win away to Belgium, meaning they will progress from Group A2 alongside Spain.

A Janice Cayman own goal after an hour was followed by strikes from Pernille Harder and Sara Holmgaard.

Meanwhile Group A1 is wide open, with all four sides still able to qualify automatically from the pool.

Just three points separate the teams, with the Netherlands on eight, ahead of Norway and Italy with six, while Finland have five.

Finland kept alive their hopes with Emma Koivisto’s 98th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with Norway, while Italy held the Dutch to a 0-0 draw in Sittard.

The top two finishers in each League A group qualify automatically, while the bottom two go into the play-offs against sides from Leagues B and C.

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