Norwegian youngster Gauspet shines in a dramatic 4-3 win over Iceland

On 11th July 2025, Norway defeated Iceland 4-3 at the Stockhorn Arena at 20:00 in Group A of the Women's European Championships 2025.

Starting Lineups

 Norway manager, Gemma Grainger, seemingly used this fixture for squad rotation, after already securing a quarter-final spot in their last victory. She made six changes to her starting XI that defeated Finland 2-1 as well as switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 formation.

Caroline Graham Hansen on bench for Celin bizet

Guro Reiten on bench for Signe Gaupset

 Ingrid Engen on bench for Lisa Naalsund

 Ada Hegerberg on bench for Elizabeth Terland

Marit Lund on bench for Maren Mjelde

Thea Bjelde on bench for Emilie Woldvik

STARTING XI: Fiskerstrand, Woldvik, Mjelde, Harviken, Hansen, Bøe Risa, Maanum, Naalsund, Bizet, Terland, Gaupset

Iceland boss, Thorsteinn Halldorsson, made three changes from their devastating 2-0 loss to Switzerland which saw them knocked out indefinitely in the group stage.

Gudny Arnadottir on bench for SaedisHeidarsdottir

 Dagny Brynjarsdottir on bench for Hildur Antonsdottir

 Agla María Albertsdottir on bench for Katla Tryggvadottir

STARTING XI: Rúnarsdóttir, Heiðarsdóttir, Sigurðardóttir,  Viggósdóttir, Arnardóttir, Jóhannsdóttir,  Antonsdóttir,  Jónsdóttir, Vilhjálmsdóttir,Tryggvadóttir, Jessen

First Half

It was a positive start for Iceland, looking to grab their first Women’s Euros win in 12 years. Angel City attacker, Jóhannsdóttir used her astounding pace and dribbling abilities seen so often in her time in the Frauen-Bundesliga, to drive at goal, before slipping it left to Tryggvadóttir. Her shot didn’t have a lot of speed and was saved with two hands by Fiskerstrand, tipping it around the post.

Eventually, the deadlock was broken and Iceland’s hard work was rewarded through Jóhannsdóttir in the 6th minute. A lovely corner was placed into the dangerzone and defender, Arnardóttir, was first to get her head on it, forcing yet another diving save from the keeper. Fiskerstrand was unfortunate to see the rebound fall to Iceland’s star player, who was yet to show her shine so far this tournament, Jóhannsdóttir. The ball was poked into the back of the net after finding herself in heaps of space, in a poacher’s finish. This goal incidentally was the tournament’s 50th as well as Iceland’s first in Euro 2025.

A blue sea of roughly 1500 Icelandic fans stood behind Rúnarsdóttir’s goal, deployed as a defensive shield, putting Norway off with their traditional thunderous viking clap, echoing into a remarkable sound around the smallest stadium to be played at in Switzerland.

But the wall was soon broken, with Norway ironically clapping back soon after, in the 15th minute. Atletico Madrid’s Bøe Risa delivered a pinpoint corner to find Norwegian youngster Gaupset, unmarked a metre into the box. With her right-foot, she drilled it into the bottom corner of the net, marking her first ever major tournament start in style. The 20 year-old’s exciting potential had already been flagged up prior, with exceptional performances for her club, SK Brann, in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Coming from behind wasn’t unfamiliar for the girls in red, conceding first in eight of their previous ten matches at European Championships.

As the score remained 1-1, Norway started to exert full control on the fixture, pushing Iceland to play entirely in their half, camping just outside their own box, with goalscorer, Gaupset looking the brightest spark especially in situations where Iceland struggled to clear their lines.

Manchester United's top scorer, Elizabeth Terland was the next to have a significant attempt at the Icelandic goal, her whipping strike on the turn, saved with quick reflexes from Rúnarsdóttir in the 24th minute.

Norway’s confidence had begun to really shine through. This was a contrast to their first two lacklustre scramble over the line wins in their opening two Group A matchups, both that they won 2-1.

This confidence was enough to push Gauspet to find her brace of the day in the 26th minute. This time the effort was from range, pummelled into the bottom left which beat the Icelandic goalkeeper at her near post. As the Norwegians celebrated, Rúnarsdóttir could only pick herself up in disbelief, disappointed to be beaten so easily. What’s more upsetting for her, was the goal stemmed from Iceland trying to play out from the back again, an approach that was clearly not working.

Half an hour in, and it was obvious that Signe Gaupset is following in the footsteps of players like Norwegian and Lyon legend Ada Hegerberg, the 30-year-old watching from the bench, for a well-earned rest. Definitely one to keep your eye on for the future.

Despite, referee, Lonela Alina Pesu letting the game flow, not minding the physical battles between the Scandinavian players, a particularly hasty tackle from Icelandic skipper, Viggósdóttir had to be called up for a yellow card in the 35th minute. The player at her 4th European Championships, lunged in on Frida Maanum, catching the Norwegian as she attempted to steal the ball and breakaway.

Manchester United and Norwegian Lisa Naalsund was having a particularly strong first-half, dictating the tempo effortlessly. The 30-year-old was playing her part as one of the double pivots amazingly, featuring in her first major tournament. Her defensive capabilities also was highlighted, helping to form a shield that left Icelandic forward, Jessen, isolated up top, energy slowly draining out of her from trying to lead an unsuccessful press.

A beautiful piece of vision and quick-thinking from Frida maanum, saw her and Gauspet combine to help the youngster drive along the wing and whip in a nasty cross. The ball was met by Viggósdóttir, who had her hands full all half, and the captain defended it well. This was deemed the last significant action before the whistle blew, signalling the break.

Second half

Half-time substitutions:

Norway was the side that made two changes, with Grainger looking to hand out play-time to as many as her squad possible.

Mathilde Harviken was subbed off for Marit Lund

 Vilde Bøe Risa was subbed off for Justine Kielland

Despite expecting Iceland to come out of the blocks with a little more bravery, the team already knocked out and with nothing to lose, they still started as the first-half ended. An output player was never found, allowing Norway to receive balls straight back before recycling another attack, to wear their backline down with attrition.

Eventually, the Vikings were weakened enough to let another goal in.

In the 49th minute, some lovely give and go and combination play from Maanum and Gauspet was showcased yet again. The Brann player performed a lovely cut back pass in the box to find the Arsenal midfielder with plenty of space and time. She smashed in a first-time finish, putting the game to bed in the eyes of the wave of red fans that celebrated ecstatically.

But, this did not dishearten the Icelandic team, with Jóhannsdóttir trying to bounce back quickly, her effort whizzing inches from the top corner post in the 54th minute. The chance came about as a result of her threatening pace and outrageous skill that saw her nutmeg and cut inside effortlessly. This was a warning shot to the Norway defense that was caught sleeping.

From then on, every Icelandic breakaway was retrieved with ease from the Norway defense, who had upped their aggression and press intensity. It was a million times better than their first two group games.

This was particularly frustrating for Jenssen, her isolation already mentioned and her lack of service from Iceland meaning opportunities and touches on the ball for her were rare.

Substitutions for Iceland in the 58th minute:

Hildur Antonsdottir is substituted off for Dagny Brynjarsdottir 

 Katla Tryggvadóttir is substituted off for Agla Albertsdottir.

In the 64th minute, Jóhannsdóttir still looked lively, despite being 3-1 down. A lovely tap of the ball and spin around Norwegian half-time substitute, Lund, caught the Benfica player off-guard, who had to drag the forward down to eliminate the chance. It was obvious that Lund would receive a yellow for this tackle.

Other than this bright spark, Iceland were disappointing to watch as a spectator, they were just jogging around with lack of intensity. Even another thunder Viking clap from fans was unable to boost their spirits and want to play for pride.

After what felt like an eternity (71 minutes to be exact) Jenssen finally found herself with the ball at her feet in her opponent’s box. Agla Albertsdottir threaded a rushed ball through Norway’s lines in a counter-attack which Jenssen managed to run onto. However, all her shot could do was smash against the side-netting, an attempt that was trying to make something out of nothing, a summary of Iceland’s performance so far tonight. That was her last action at Euro 2025 as she was substituted off for Leicester City player Hlin Eiriksdottir.

Iceland made another change as well as this:

Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir substituted off for Amanda Andradottir.

Shortly after this, Norway were forced to make their first substitution of the night, after a worrying sight of Celine Bizet suffering a potential leg injury was seen. She was replaced by Synee Jensen.

The fourth of Norway's night was netted in the 76th minute, sealing a brace for Frida Maanum. With, you guessed it, another goal contribution on the scoresheet for Gaupset, who picked out Maanum in a worrying amount of space in the middle of the pitch. Icelandic defenders didn’t step towards the clinical Arsenal finisher, meaning her shot strolled through the defense and made the net ripple with ease. Goalkeeper, Rúnarsdóttir, was beaten too easily in a slow-to-react attempt to save.

Norway made another substitution in the 80th minute:

Maren Mjelde was withdrawn for Marthine Ostendard in a major tournament debut.

To people's surprise, 4 minutes later, Iceland managed to shorten the deficit, in what was seen as a consolation goal at the time. Jóhannsdóttir drove all the way from the halfway line, evading three Norway defenders and nutmegging a fourth, showing her individual brilliance in a team of lower than average display tonight. The Angel city player was extremely unselfish to pop it to the left to her teammate, Eiriksdottir, who was practically standing still, unmarked on the penalty spot. The ball was smashed into the top right corner, her one goal at Euro 2025 more than she scored for the entire last WSL season with Leicester.

This was the boost Iceland needed, finishing the game as the much stronger side. In the closing stages of the 90 minutes, the stadium held its breath as a potential VAR penalty check popped onto the electronic screen.

It appeared that Icelandic goalscorer, Eiriksdottir was brought down by Lund in the penalty box on her way to getting on the receiving end of a cross. It was an obvious pull-back and the referee would have been blind not to give the penalty Iceland’s way.

In addition, Lund was shown a second yellow, the repeat offense of pulling back players coming back to haunt her. This was a huge blow in the 90 +4 minute, as Lund was classed as Grainger as one of the starting eleven players, a vital part of the team that would be missing in the looming quarter-final match.

The penalty was converted beautifully by captain, Viggósdóttir, into the top left corner, the power fueled by pent-up frustration at her team's performance. However, you couldn’t help wonder if Iceland could rescue this once written-off defeat into a draw, claiming a point.

Nevertheless, there just wasn’t enough time for Iceland to build-up another attack and the whistle blew, signalling a narrow win for the Norwegians.

This wasn’t exactly the positive momentum Norway were searching for to propel them into the round, but with Gaupset’s performance tonight, it may satisfy manager, Gemma Grainger.

 But, Norway still have managed to win all three games, score 8 goals and push into the last 8, an achievement that should be appreciated by Grainger, as her side haven’t reached a knockout stage since 2013.

For Iceland, they now have an unwanted record to their name, becoming the first team to ever lose all 3 group games at 3 separate Euros.

Final result: Norway win 4-3 over Iceland

Player of the match

The award was handed, deservedly, to Signe Gaupset, who became the youngest player to score a brace in a single European Championship fixture. At just turned 20, the Brann player must be high up, if not top, of the potential superstars list.

Context

Norway finished top of Group A, after winning this fixture against Iceland, but their quarter-final spot had already been confirmed prior. This means the Scandinavians will receive a more favourable last 8 match-up,avoiding reigning world champions, Spain.

Iceland finished bottom of group A as their Euro 2025 journey was cut short. However, they can go out with their heads held high, after scoring 3 well-taken goals against a strong Norway side.

In the other game, last drama occurred, meaning Switzerland levelled late against Finland, securing the second quarter-final spot in group A. All the Swiss needed was a single point, if they lost, Finland would have advanced.

Norway's next match

Norway’s quarter-final will be played on the 16th July in Geneva at 20:00. They will play the team that finish second in Group B, which will be either Spain, Italy or Portugal.