Arsenal Women forward Stina Blackstenius helped Sweden Women to book their place in the Women’s Euros 2025 quarter-finals, scoring in a 3-0 win against Poland Women.
After Germany Women’s victory against Denmark Women earlier on Tuesday, Sweden knew a victory would send them to the knockouts – and dump out Poland and Denmark in the process.
It was a dominant performance from Peter Gerhardsson’s side, who twice hit the woodwork inside 12 minutes through Kosovare Asllani and Madelen Janogy.
They finally made the breakthrough just before the half-hour. Blackstenius showed some wonderful movement to nod Asllani’s cross past West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik with Sweden’s first shot on target.
Chances kept passing them by – Blackstenius especially could have had a first-half hat-trick – but added a second shortly after the break.
It was another right wing cross headed home, this time buried by Asllani from Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd’s ball. It was the 49th international goal for the Sweden skipper, who has now played in a record 20 consecutive Euros games for her country.
Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal
Their third was another headed effort, and a joyous celebration for scorer Lina Hurtig. It was almost like Groundhog Day as another ball came in from the right – this time from a corner – that was easily nodded home.
Poland could have pulled a late goal back in the best of their few chances, but Milena Kokosz rattled the crossbar.
3-0 was perhaps a more indicative of Sweden’s dominance, and they will now face a straight shootout with Germany on July 12 for top spot in Group C.
Sweden are currently first on goal difference, and will need just a draw to go through as group winners, with neither side yet to concede a goal in these championships. Poland and Denmark will play out a dead rubber on the same day.
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