Austria, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands and Belgium qualified for the Quarter-Finals
Group A
Northern Ireland 0 -5 England
England have already won the group and Northern Ireland are already out, so it was not a shock that the Lionesses comfortably won this match. Norn Iron kept a clean sheet for 40 minutes but once England broke through, with Fran Kirby, it was quickly 3–0 in the 48th (with goals from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo either side of half-time). Russo made it 4–0 in the 53rd minute and an own goal from Kelsie Burrows completed the scoring.
Austria 1–0 Norway
A solid overall performance from Austria was capped by a Verena Hanshaw driven cross which found Nicole Billa in the center of the penalty area to flick home after 36 minutes. Despite Norway needing to win, and finishing the match with more possession, they failed to threaten the Austrian goal.
Group B
Finland 0–3 Germany
Another match of a team that has already qualified (Germany) and one that has been eliminated (Finland). Sophia Kleinherne broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. Alex Popp added another in the 48th minute. Nicole Anyomi finished the game in the 63rd minute.
Denmark 0–1 Spain
Denmark had to win, whereas Spain (with a goal difference advantage) could draw and go through to face England. Spain’s inefficiency meant they dragged out the game, but they solidified their spot in the Quarter-Finals with a stoppage time goal by Marta Cardona. Denmark, on the other hand, could not take advantage of any of their opportunities and another superstar — Pernille Harder — exits the stage.
Group C
All four teams entered the day capable of qualification, with Netherlands and Sweden in position to advance.
Sweden 5–0 Portugal
After an evenly contested opening twenty minutes, Sweden took the lead after Filippa Angeldal swept the ball home from a right wing corner which was only partially punched clear. Angeldal swept home from the top of the box to make it 2–0 in the 45th minute after a free kick was passed into her path. The match was effectively settled in the 7th minute of stoppage time when Carole Costa put through her own net from a corner.
Sweden scored a PK through Kosovare Asllani after a handball in the box, in the 53rd minute. The scoring was completed when Stina Blackstenius blasted the ball into the roof of the net following an elongated one two from midfield.
Switzerland 1–4 Netherlands
This was an odd game. The Dutch took the lead through an own goal by Switzerland’s all time leading goalscorer Ana-Maria Crnogorčević in the 49th minute. Géraldine Reuteler leveled the score only five minutes later and Netherlands scored three times in the last ten minutes of the match. Romée Leuchter scored in the 84th and 95th minutes, with Victoria Pelova picking up a goal in the 89th.
Group D
France already won the group. Iceland were in position but since they were only second by a point, if they did not win, the winner of Italy v Belgium would leap-frog them.
Italy 0–1 Belgium
Belgium ultimately sealed their own path into the Quarter Finals, and the departure of Italy, with a blast from Tine De Caigny in the 49th minute.
Iceland 1–1 France
France got off to a scorching start, with Melvine Malard scoring in the first minute. Dagný Brynjarsdóttir equalized for Iceland in the TWELFTH minute of stoppage time at the end of the game, to rescue some pride but not a spot in the Quarter-Finals.
Upcoming schedule (# is World Ranking):
Quarter Finals
Wednesday 20th July
#8 England v #7 Spain — AMEX Stadium in Brighton.
This is a question of potential. Can Spain bring a sharper edge to their possession-based game, or can the hosts keep up the form demonstrated in their victories against Norway and Northern Ireland. The winner faces the winner of Friday’s QF match.
Thursday 21st July
#5 Germany v #21 Austria — Brentford Community Stadium in London
Austria are playing with the freedom and joy of a team that nobody expected to see this late in the party. On the other hand, Germany are rounding into form as the matches progress. The winner faces the winner of Saturday’s QF match.
Friday 22nd July
#2 Sweden v #19 Belgium — Leigh Sports Village in Leigh.
The highest ranked team in the tournament have thus far failed to live up to their billing but should have an easy ride against the second-lowest ranked team left.
Saturday 23rd July
#3 France v #4 Netherlands — New York Stadium in Rotherham
The most even match-up in ranking terms also presents one of the hottest teams with a match against an injury riddled defending champion. The Dutch will hope to have Vivianne Miedema back after a bout of Covid-19.
We’ll be back to round up the Quarter Finals. Stay tuned to our Twitter for match updates