Poland edge Denmark in five-goal Group C thriller in Luzern

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 – Group C

Match Report: Poland 3–2 Denmark

Date: Saturday 12th July 2025

Venue: swissporarena, Luzern, Switzerland

Kick-off: 8:00 PM (BST)

With neither Poland nor Denmark able to reach the knockout stages, their final Group C fixture was no longer about qualification — but it still meant something. It was about who could finish on a high, who could give their fans one last moment to cheer, a goal to celebrate, a performance to remember. In a match free from mathematical stakes but rich in emotion, both sides had one final chance to play with pride, honour the shirt, and end their EURO 2025 journey with heads held high.

And the game delivered. Poland earned a vital victory in Group C of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with a pulsating 3–2 win over Denmark at swissporarena in Luzern. In a contest packed with high-quality attacking football, momentum swings and late drama, the Poles held off a spirited Danish fightback to claim all three points. 

Both teams made some changes to their starting lineups ahead of this final Group C clash, refreshing their squads in search of a positive performance.

Team News:

Poland made three changes from their defeat against Sweden last time out in Group C. Wiktoria Zieniewicz replaced Martyna Wiankowska at left-back, Ewelina Kamczyk came into midfield for Dominika Grabowska, and Natalia Padilla started on the right wing in place of Nadia Krezyman.

Denmark also refreshed their starting XI after their 2-1 defeat to Germany last time out. Kathrine Kuhl and Josefine Hasbo came into midfield, replacing Emma Snerle and Karen Holmgaard, while Signe Bruun led the line ahead of Amalie Vangsgaard.

FIRST HALF: 

The game kicked off with early intent from both sides…

Poland registered the first effort on goal inside the opening three minutes, with Pawollek lofting a tame attempt into the gloves of Bay Østergaard after a cross from Matysik on the right.

Denmark responded quickly and nearly opened the scoring themselves. In the sixth minute, captain Pernille Harder received the ball from Thomsen, took a sharp touch to set herself on the edge of the area, and unleashed a fierce shot that flew just wide. Three minutes later, Harder burst down the right wing on the counterattack and beat her marker before standing up a cross for Thomsen, who made solid contact but fired over the bar from close range — a golden chance that went begging.

By the ten-minute mark, Denmark had wrestled back control after a strong Polish start. But it was Poland who struck first, completely against the run of play. In the 13th minute, Natalia Padilla ignited a lightning-fast move down the right-hand side, playing a sharp ball to Kamczyk. The winger surged forward and delivered a dangerous low cross into the box. Denmark attempted to clear, but the ball fell invitingly for Padilla, who had continued her run and met it with calm, clinical precision — placing it into the bottom corner with real composure. The Polish bench erupted. Against the grain, Poland led 1–0.

Denmark looked for a quick response, and in the 18th minute, Signe Bruun took aim from distance after receiving the ball from Kuhl, spotting the Polish goalkeeper off her line — but her effort drifted wide. An effort that was a sign of how Poland had started to dominate and Denmark looked to be under pressure. 

That first goal really turned the tide for Poland who had started to get on top from that moment and then proceeded to double their lead in the 20th minute — and it was a goal worthy of the biggest stage. Kamczyk again turned creator, winning the ball back with gritty determination high up the pitch. She quickly played in Padilla down the right, who whipped a looping cross toward the back post. Ewa Pajor, Poland’s talismanic No.9, timed her run to perfection and launched herself at the ball, thundering a powerful header past Østergaard before the Danish keeper could even move. Poland were flying. It was a ruthless counter-punch — and a statement goal from one of Europe’s best.

Poland were in control, turning their early defensive effort into a dominant spell of possession and chances. Their rhythm only grew after the first goal, and they looked well worth their lead. Things worsened for Denmark when captain Pernille Harder was forced off with an injury following a strong challenge. She was replaced by Bredgaard in the 25th minute — a major blow to Danish hopes.

Poland came close to a third just before the half-hour mark. Tomasiak won the ball high up the pitch and drove forward, forcing a save. Then in the 30th minute, Matysik played an excellent cross-field ball to Tomasiak, who did brilliantly to keep it in on the byline and cut it across goal. Padilla arrived but sent her shot just over the bar.

Two minutes later, Kamczyk struck from outside the box. The effort looked routine for Østergaard, but the ball slipped through her hands, struck the crossbar, and fell safely back into her grasp — a nervy moment for Denmark.

Denmark showed signs of life late in the half. In the 33rd minute, a rare attack led to a cross that almost snuck in, but Szemik dealt with it calmly. In stoppage time, Bruun came within inches of pulling one back. Her header clipped the crossbar in the first minute of added time, and a minute later, she forced a sharp save from Szemik with another dangerous effort. Two excellent chances, but Poland held on.

Half-Time: Poland 2–0 Denmark

Second Half:

Denmark came out with intent in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart, Bredgaard had a close-range shot blocked by the Polish defence. Poland responded with a flowing move in the 50th minute as Tomasiak weaved past her defender and set up Padilla, who slid her effort just wide.

Bredgaard continued to impress off the bench, forcing another fine save from Szemik in the 53rd minute with a powerful shot from outside the area. Four minutes later, Thomsen drove at the Polish backline and forced a strong palm away from Szemik.

Denmark’s renewed energy finally paid off in the 60th minute. Thomsen struck from just outside the box — a speculative effort more than anything — and while it was straight at Szemik, the Polish goalkeeper fumbled it horribly. The ball squirmed through her hands and trickled over the line. A gift for Denmark, but one they gratefully accepted. Game on in Luzern.

Then, in the 70th minute, came what looked like the equaliser — and it had all the makings of a classic EURO moment. Nadia Nadim combined brilliantly with Bruun inside a crowded penalty area. Surrounded by red and white shirts, the two exchanged quick passes before Nadim coolly slotted the ball past Szemik. The Danish fans exploded with noise, the bench charged to the touchline — they thought it was 2–2.

But not so fast.

VAR intervened, checking for an offside in the buildup. The stadium held its breath. After a tense delay, the goal was ruled out. Offside. Agony for Denmark. What should have been a deserved equaliser was wiped off, and the momentum they had worked so hard to build was halted in an instant.

That disallowed goal proved costly. In the 77th minute, Poland landed a hammer blow. Pajor, drifting wide to the left, delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Padilla lunged for it but couldn’t quite connect — yet the danger wasn’t cleared. The ball fell perfectly to substitute Wiankowska at the edge of the area, and she unleashed a rocket of a strike that flew into the top corner. Østergaard had no chance. It was a moment of pure quality, and it sent the Poland fans wild. A third goal, a second wind, and breathing room restored.  3–1 Poland.

Denmark, to their credit, did not give up. In the 84th minute, Signe Bruun gave her side hope once again. Veje picked her out with a superb cross from the left, and the striker rose highest to bullet a header into the back of the net. A brilliant finish under pressure, and suddenly it was 3–2 with six minutes to play. The drama wasn’t over yet.

Slowinska almost killed the game off for Poland two minutes later with a powerful strike, but Østergaard stood firm. Denmark pushed for an equaliser in the dying moments — Nadim and Thomsen both had half-chances, while a dramatic goalmouth scramble in the third minute of stoppage time saw Szemik push a header off the line and the defence clear the danger.

Full-Time: Poland 3–2 Denmark

It was a captivating Group C encounter, with Poland showing clinical edge and resilience to overcome a talented Denmark side. Despite a spirited fightback and several late opportunities, the Danes fell just short. With three points secured, Poland exit the competition finishing third in the group while Denmark (with defeat in all three of their group games) finish in fourth place.

Goals:

• Poland: Padilla (13th minute), Pajor (20th minute), Wiankowska (77th minute)

• Denmark: Thomsen (60th minute), Bruun (84th minute)

• Disallowed Goal: Nadim (70th minute – ruled out for offside via VAR)

Player of the Match: For me it has to be Natalia Padilla – she was involved in the first two goals, worked tirelessly down the right flank, and was a constant danger throughout. A massive contributor to Poland’s win. Very much deserving of the POTM award.

Final Group C Table:

1. Sweden 9pts

2. Germany 6pts

3. Poland 3pts

4. Denmark