Media caption,

Sweden through to quarter-finals with victory as Poland eliminated

Sweden cruised into the knockout stages of Euro 2025 with a dominant victory over Poland in Lucerne.

They were well on top before finally taking the lead when Stina Blackstenius found space six yards out to head in Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's cross after 28 minutes.

Kosovare Asllani made it 2-0 early in the second half, heading in her 49th goal in her 201st international, from another Rytting Kaneryd cross.

And Lina Hurtig - recently released by Arsenal - ensured Sweden's victory when she nodded home a 77th-minute corner.

The win moves Sweden onto six points alongside Germany - who beat Denmark 2-1 earlier on Tuesday - and they will meet to decide top spot on Saturay.

The Swedes, who were the inaugural European champions in 1984 but have only managed three runner-up finishes since, are ahead on goal difference and need only a draw to secure first place.

Euros debutants Polands are out with one game to spare, and will face fellow eliminated side Denmark in their final game.

What was the main talking point?

Media caption,

Kosovare Asllani scores Sweden's second goal

Although they opened their Euro 2025 campaign with a win over Scandanavian neighbours Denmark, there had been some concern about sluggish Swedish play.

There were no such issues here as the Swedes burst out the blocks and pinned Poland in their half throughout the majority of the opening period.

Sweden particularly dominated out wide, with a remarkable 24 crosses attempted in the first half alone. They hit the bar twice with headers from Asllani and Madelen Janogy before taking the lead.

And they continued to exploit Poland out wide after the break, Rytting Kaneryd completely overrunning left-back Martyna Wiankowska all night.

All three Swedish goals coming from headers shows their gameplan - and how comprehensively it worked.

They are now unbeaten in their past 14 matches.

Which players stood out?

Media caption,

Blackstenius scores Sweden's first goal against Poland

As Arsenal fans will know, there are some games where Blackstenius looks like a world-beater - such as when she scored the winner in the Champions League final - and some when she is endlessly frustrating with the chances she spurns.

This game had a bit of both. Poland could not cope with her presence as she intertwined particularly well with Rytting Kaneryd in attack - Arsenal and Chelsea working together as 53% of Sweden's first-half attacks came down the right.

Blackstenius scored her fifth goal in her past four internationals but could have easily had five goals before the break here. She was well denied by Poland keeper Kinga Szemik when one on one and was wasteful with other openings.

Sweden's front four of Blackstenius, Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani and Janogy are an experienced, well-oiled machine, but must be more clinical in the knockout stages.

The standout stats

Poland are the third successive European Championship debutants to lose their first two games in the tournament, following Scotland in 2017 and Northern Ireland in 2022. They are also the first nation to fail to score in their opening pair of matches.

They rarely looked like avoiding that stat, and only came close to a consolation goal when Milena Kokosz hit the post with a long-range shot in second-half stoppage time.

What next for these sides?

The final round of games in Group C take place this Saturday (12 July) with both matches kicking off at 20.00 BST. Sweden face Germany in Zurich, while Poland take on Denmark in Lucerne.

Player of the match

Number: 19 J. Rytting Kaneryd
Average rating 8.37
Number: 1 K. Szemik
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 8 E. Kamczyk
Average Rating: 5.75
Number: 19 N. Padilla-Bidas
Average Rating: 5.36
Number: 2 M. Wiankowska
Average Rating: 5.29
Number: 11 T. Pawollek
Average Rating: 5.19
Number: 13 E. Szymczak
Average Rating: 5.13
Number: 9 E. Pajor
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 15 M. Kokosz
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 5 O. WoÅ›
Average Rating: 4.94
Number: 10 W. Zawistowska
Average Rating: 4.90
Number: 6 S. Matysik
Average Rating: 4.88
Number: 14 D. Grabowska
Average Rating: 4.87
Number: 18 N. Krezyman
Average Rating: 4.80
Number: 3 W. Zieniewicz
Average Rating: 4.70
Number: 21 P. Tomasiak
Average Rating: 4.67
Number: 23 A. Achcińska
Average Rating: 4.53

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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