Sweden and Czechia record convincing wins in Euro 2025 playoffs

Sweden put one foot in the second round of the Women’s Euro 2025 qualification play-offs by beating Luxembourg 4-0, while Czechia routed Belarus 8-1.

Sweden, semi-finalists at the last European Championships in 2022, were comfortable winners in the first leg of their tie, with Arsenal’s Stine Blackstenius and Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd joining Filippa Angeldahl and Evelyn Ijeh on the scoresheet.

They were not the most convincing victors of the day, though, as Czechia ran riot in Velika Gorica despite going down to 10 players when Eliska Sonntagova was sent off in the 55th minute.

Katerina Svitkova and Kamila Dubcova both scored twice for Czechia, who had six different goalscorers in their win.

Who impressed the most in the first legs of round 1? #WEURO2025

— UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) October 25, 2024

Earlier on Friday, Norway all-but secured their spot in the next phase with a resounding 5-0 victory in Albania.

Arsenal’s Frida Maanum opened the scoring, driving home after latching onto Caroline Hansen’s flick, before centre-back Guro Bergsvand added a first-half brace to take the game away from the hosts.

Lyon great Ada Hegerberg came off the bench on the hour mark and scored with her first touch – a sumptuous volley – just 45 seconds later, then Mathilde Harviken round off the scoring in the 74th minute.

Portugal also recorded a dominant success, winning 4-1 in Azerbaijan after racing into a three-goal lead within the first 26 minutes.

Early goals from Ana Capeta, Tatiana Pinto and Diana Gomes put the visitors in command, with Diana Silva restoring their three-goal advantage late on after Nazlican Parlak had pulled one back for Azerbaijan.

Advantage @selecaoportugal #WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/o2kgkWqqYe

— UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) October 25, 2024

There were also victories for the Republic of Ireland, who triumphed 4-0 in Georgia, and Scotland, who edged out Hungary 1-0 on their travels.

The return fixtures take place on Tuesday, with 14 ties taking place in total to decide who advances to the second round, set to take place in November and December.

Seven more places are up for grabs at the tournament, which will begin in Switzerland on July 2 and finish on July 27.