our name holders The Netherlands will face fellow candidates France in the Women’s Euro 2022 quarter-finals after being defeated by Sweden in a goal-fest climax to Group C.
Sweden led the group on goal difference with a 5-0 drubbing of Portugal while the Netherlands could only beat Switzerland 4-1 when the pair finished on seven points.
The Scandinavian side only needed a draw to secure a spot in the last eight, but were relentless when they got chances to score, with the first four goals all coming from set pieces.
Filippa Angeldal scored twice in the opening half, first on a weak hollowing of a corner to lead the ball into the net before the unmarked midfielder curled in a first attempt from the edge of the penalty area on a short free kick.
Goalkeeper Patricia Morais made some decent saves to keep Portugal in the game, but Sweden were relentless and another corner enabled defender Amanda Ilestedt to get up and tap the ball home before halftime. However, Ilestedt’s strike went down as an own goal on Carole Costa due to a deflection.
Sweden continued to dominate the game after halftime and a handball penalty in the penalty area enabled Kosovare Asllani to score from the spot past a diving Morais who guessed the right course.
Another free kick attempt was ruled out by VAR for offside, but Sweden eventually scored from open play when Stina Blackstenius completed a smooth move in stoppage time by curling her shot into the top corner.
Additional coverage by Reuters.