After their first victories, defending champions Netherlands and Sweden have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the European Women’s Football Championship in England.
The Dutch won Group C 3-2 (2-1) against Portugal, before Sweden won 2-1 (0-0) against Switzerland. This means that the two teams rated as strongest in this preliminary round group each have four points after the second game. At the start both had separated 1:1 from each other. Switzerland and Portugal, on the other hand, are threatened with just one point each.
Damaris Egurrola (7th minute) and Stefanie van der Gragt (16th) ensured the weak Dutch team quickly took a 2-0 lead. However, Carole Costa (38′) with a penalty kick after video evidence and Diana Silva (47′) equalized for Portugal. Daniëlle van de Donk (62nd) redeemed the favorite with her goal.
The Swiss defended themselves surprisingly well against Sweden after a stomach flu epidemic that affected nine players. Substitute Hanna Bennison scored the winner with a tight shot from distance in the 79th minute. Before that, Ramona Bachmann (55th) equalized the Swedish lead by Fridolina Rolfö (53rd) almost immediately.