Filippa Angeldahl delivered a moment of brilliance to hand Sweden a narrow but deserved 1–0 victory over Denmark, as Group C action kicked off in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

In a tightly contested encounter in Gothenburg, Peter Gerhardsson’s side gradually took control after a cagey opening, applying sustained pressure and finding their breakthrough early in the second half. Angeldahl’s 55th-minute strike was the difference, securing a crucial three points against their Scandinavian rivals.

Second-Half Quality Proves Decisive for Sweden
The breakthrough arrived ten minutes after the interval. Angeldahl, playing in a deep-lying midfield role, found space on the edge of the box and combined brilliantly with captain Kosovare Asllani. The Real Madrid midfielder received the return ball and rifled a low, curling effort beyond Sandra Østergaard, the Danish goalkeeper, nestling the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Despite a late rally from Andrée Jeglertz’s Denmark, including a thunderous strike from Pernille Harder that rattled the crossbar, Sweden’s disciplined defence stood firm to preserve their advantage.

Story of the Match: Strong Start for Blågult Amid Tactical Tweaks
Jeglertz, newly announced as Manchester City’s next head coach following Euro 2025, made three changes to the Danish line-up that suffered a 6–1 thrashing against Sweden in their last outing. Karen Holmgaard returned to midfield alongside her twin sister Sara, while talisman Pernille Harder led the line for the Red and White.

Sweden, meanwhile, fielded a side brimming with Women’s Super League (WSL) talent. Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal spearheaded the attack, flanked by Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, while Asllani orchestrated play in midfield. Recently released Arsenal duo Amanda Ilestedt and Lina Hurtig began on the bench, while Angeldahl, also formerly of Manchester City, started in the centre.

From the outset, Sweden pressed assertively. Inside two minutes, Rytting Kaneryd beat her marker and squared for Angeldahl, whose first-time strike drifted narrowly wide. Denmark responded immediately as Janni Thomsen broke forward, only to be denied by a superb recovery tackle from Julia Zigiotti Olme.

Harder, Denmark’s record scorer, had a chance soon after from a set-piece, but her tame header was easily gathered by Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk. A VAR review for a potential handball against Madelen Janogy followed but was correctly dismissed, as replays showed no intent.

Sweden nearly took the lead just before half-time. Angeldahl whipped a venomous free-kick goalwards, only for Østergaard to produce a sensational fingertip save, tipping the ball over the bar to preserve parity at the break.

Angeldahl Delivers as Sweden Take Command
Early in the second half, Sweden turned the screw. Rytting Kaneryd again burst down the right and cut the ball back to Angeldahl, whose shot was blocked by Emma Færge. But the pressure told moments later.

In the 55th minute, Angeldahl combined sharply with Asllani, ghosted past her marker, and dispatched a low shot across goal to hand Sweden the lead — a just reward for their patient build-up play and territorial dominance.

Sweden thought they had doubled their lead shortly after when Blackstenius latched onto a loose ball in the box. Her shot trickled towards an open net, only for Frederikke Thøgersen to make a stunning goalline clearance — mere millimetres keeping Denmark alive.

Jeglertz turned to his bench in an attempt to shift momentum, introducing Signe Bruun of Real Madrid and, later, veteran forward Nadia Nadim, making one of her final international appearances before retirement.

Despite their changes, Denmark struggled to create clear chances. Sweden, by contrast, managed the tempo expertly. Hanna Lundkvist’s cross found Janogy unmarked in the box, but the forward’s header drifted wide. With 20 minutes to play, the Swedes looked firmly in control.

Late Danish Surge Falls Just Short
As the clock ticked down, Harder came agonisingly close to equalising. The Bayern Munich star collected a loose ball at the edge of the area and launched a fierce drive that cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.

In added time, Denmark threw everything forward. Thomsen’s corner found Harder unmarked at the near post, but Hurtig, off the bench, made a crucial block on the line. Moments later, Nadim attempted an audacious overhead kick, but Falk stood her ground and calmly collected the effort.

There was still time for one last Swedish chance. A long ball released Blackstenius on the counter, and she squared across goal for Hurtig — but the midfielder mistimed her run and failed to connect, missing the opportunity to seal the result.

Player of the Match: Filippa Angeldahl
Angeldahl was a commanding presence in midfield from start to finish. Her passing range, positional awareness, and control of the game's tempo anchored Sweden’s performance. She constantly found pockets of space, broke up Danish transitions, and linked play with calm authority.

Her decisive goal, delivered with precision and composure under pressure, was worthy of winning any match. In a game where both sides had moments of promise, it was Angeldahl’s moment of quality that stood apart — earning her well-deserved player of the match honours.