Norway winger Signe Gaupset made the most of her first start at Euro 2025, scoring twice and creating two more goals as her side beat Iceland 4-3 on Thursday to make it three wins from three for the Norwegians, who had already secured top spot in Group A.
Despite Gaupset’s tremendous performance, the Norwegians endured a nervy ending as Iceland scored two late goals, including a stoppage-time penalty after Marit Breatberg Lund was sent off for a clumsy challenge.
With Iceland playing for pride, having already been eliminated, Sveindís Jónsdóttir netted their first goal at the tournament by reacting quickest when Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir’s header was spilled by Cecilie Fiskerstrand in the sixth minute.
Gaupset, one of six changes from the side that beat Finland 2-1 on Sunday, cancelled out Iceland’s opening goal by firing a low volley from a corner in at the foot of the right-hand post in the 15th minute, and 11 minutes later she fired a left-footed drive into the opposite corner to make it 2-1.
Gaupset heaped more misery on Iceland by teeing up Frida Maanum for Norway’s third goal four minutes after the break, and she set up Maanum for another in the 76th minute.
After dominating for much of the game, the wheels came off for Norway late on as Iceland battled bravely, scoring again through Hlín Eiríksdóttir in the 84th minute.
Substitute Bratberg Lund was sent off in stoppage time for a foolish challenge that resulted in a penalty which the Iceland captain, Glódís Viggósdóttir, fired home to make it 4-3, but the Norwegians held on to finish top of the group with a 100% record.
The Norwegians will be joined in the last eight by the hosts, Switzerland, who came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Finland and squeeze into the knockout stage.
Gaupset was hoping she had made a strong case to start Norway’s quarter-final. “I feel I’ve put in a good application, in any case. There’s a lot of good players and it’s up to the coaches to decide, but it was good to play today and show what I can do,” she said. “It was incredible and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life, so it’s very big.” Reuters
Thank you for joining me for this match. Signe Gaupset gave her coaches something to think about before the quarter-final with two goals and two assists after Norway finished the group stage with three wins from three. Iceland, meanwhile, are going home with no points. The report is to come and we will see you tomorrow as Group B wraps up. See you then.
To catch up with all the action from the other game in this group, have a read of the report:
Norway rested three of their best players with Ada Hegerberg, Carolina Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten remaining on the bench. It will be interesting to see how the team go for the rest of the tournament with slightly shaky group stage outings.
Norway’s quarter-final opponents are likely to be either Italy or Portugal, whoever is the runner-up in Group B will be determined tomorrow night.
Norway captain Ada Hegerberg (centre right) and teammates celebrate in front of their fans … Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
And the Norway fans cheer their team after their victory. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Iceland players look so upset. They already knew they were out after losing their opening two games but with Norway not at their best in this Euros, they may have fancied their chances of getting some sort of result. But they will rebuild.
In the other game it ended 1-1 and so the hosts Switzerland progress with their likely quarter-final opponents Spain. That will be confirmed tomorrow. It’s heartbreak for Finland, who have played so well in this tournament.
Iceland broke the deadlock but Norway took control of the game after that point. Signe Gaupset was a star with two goals and two assists, while Frida Maanum scored two. Iceland grabbed two consolations but they will be unimpressed with their showing at this tournament, three games and three losses. Norway progress, their last eight opponents will be decided tomorrow.
90 + 7 min: The decision to pull Eiriksdottir is so stupid. The second yellow, and therefore a red card, she will miss the quarter. Why do it? Norway are already through. Another goal for Iceland would make no impact on their campaign.
She slots it.
Iceland's Glodis Viggosdottir scores their third goal from the penalty spot. Photograph: Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters
That is a second yellow and she is off. She will miss the quarter.
90 + 4 min: Lund has contact on Eiriksdottir but it’s a tricky angle. Will it be given? Yes it is!
90 + 3 min: Albertsdottir almost score again but her effort is just over the bar. There’s a penalty check here but again I am unsure for what. The referee is now going to the screen, usually that means it will be given.
Referee Alina Pesu looks at a VAR screen before awarding Iceland a penalty. Photograph: Annegret Hilse/Reuters
90 + 2 min: The other game had seven minutes added and Switzerland have taken full advantage with an equaliser. If it stays like this they will go through. Late drama.
90 + 1 min: There will be five minutes added.
87 min: Iceland retaining more ball now, why did they not play like this sooner? Yes Norway have been good but Iceland needed to throw more at this.
That all started from a fantastic run from Jonsdottir, she has a nutmeg on the way to pass it to Eiriksdottir who lobs the keeper.
Iceland's Hlin Eiriksdottir scores their second goal. Photograph: Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters
A consolation.
84 min: A fun fact for you, the last time the hosts of a women’s Euros were dumped out in the group stage was in 2005. The hosts that year were England. Switzerland are heading for the same fate. In this game Norway continue to heap on the pressure, this is their most complete performance of the tournament so far.
82 min: Norway creep closer as substitute Jensen squares it across goal but no one is there to tap it in.
80 min: Norway are still pushing here as Maanum sends the ball over the bar. She is on for a hat trick remember.
78 min: Gaupset has now scored two and made two assists. Valuable player to have in this team, she will likely start from the bench in the quarter. In the other game Finland have scored a penalty which means if the scoreline remains as it is, 1-0, they will knock the hosts out.
It was almost identical from her last goal, it’s a controlled finish. That’s certainly now the game.
Norway's Frida Maanum fires home her second of the game. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Maanum celebrates. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
That’s two for Maanum.
75 min: She is back on which is a positive with Norway playing their quarter-final in just a few days time. Their opponents are yet to be confirmed.
73 min: Bizet is down and receiving treatment but I think she will be okay to continue.
71 min: I wonder if Hegerberg, Graham Hansen and Reiten will just be completely rested for this game? No shots of them warming up as of yet and this game is almost wrapped up.
69 min: Maanum has a lovely strike as Gaupset passes to her again but a good but of keeping sees Runarsdottir save. She concedes a corner and the delivery is good but Maanum’s effort it weak and clearerd.
