Norway 4 Iceland 3
July 10 – With two goals and two assists, twenty-year-old Signe Gaupset steered Norway, coming from behind, to a 4-3 victory against Iceland to maintain her country’s perfect record at Euro 2025 ahead of the quarter-finals.
Norway have found a new star in Gaupset (pictured top right) who stole the show in Norway’s first convincing performance of the tournament. Gaupset provided some answers to the criticism at the Norwegians’ address following inconsistent outings against both Switzerland and Finland. Yet, her team’s defence leaked three goals again.
Gauspet played a part in all of Norway’s four goals. From the front, she led with confidence and maturity that belied her years. Assured of top spot in group A, manager Gemma Grainger had left stars Ada Hegerberg, Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten on the bench and her gamble paid off handsomely.
Manchester United duo Celin Bizet and Elisabeth Terland were a part of Norway’s front three, but Gaupset was the headliner. Gaupset equalised with a perfectly-timed volley after Iceland had grabbed a seventh-minute lead.
Iceland had opened the scoring when striker Sveindis Jonsdottir slammed home a rebound from close range after Norway’s number one had kept out Alexandra Johannsdottir powerful header. It was another sign of the defensive weaknesses of the Norwegians who failed to keep a clean sheet in their three group games. In the final minutes of the match, they conceded a second and third from substitute Hlin Eiriksdottir and Glodis Viggosdottir from the penalty spot.
Holding the upper hand in the first half, Norway and Gaupset had the momentum. With her powerful left foot, the number 22 walloped the ball from outside the box and found the bottom-left corner, 2-1.
In the second half, Gaupset turned from goal scorer to provide, twice setting up Frida Maanum, who was on the scoresheet in the 49th and 76th minute. The third goal was a work of art. Following neat build-up, the pair worked a lovely one-two to carve open the Icelandic defence. Gaupset popped in a clever ball and Maanum tapped it home.
But Iceland managed two late consolation goals, taking the shine off Norway’s victory. Marit Lund was also sent off with a second booking after making contact with Eiriksdottir, who converted the spot kick to make the final scoreline 4-3.
It was too little too late for Iceland, who bowed out of Euro 2025 on a low. They became the first country to lose all their three group-stage matches at three different European Championships. The Norwegians march on to the quarter-finals where they will meet Italy or Portugal, driven by Gaupset and her team dream of more.
| Grp A | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Finland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Iceland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
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