Schueller lifts Germany over Denmark, Seica hails fans after draw with Italy
- Last updated: July 9, 2025 | 10:21
Lea Schueller fired Germany to the brink of the Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals with the decisive goal in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Denmark.
Bayern Munich striker Schueller rolled home a calm finish in the 66th minute in Basel as Germany came from behind to stay top of Group D, three points ahead of Sweden who face Poland later.
Germany will be guaranteed a spot in the last eight if Sweden avoid defeat in Lucerne but with six points from two matches Christian Wueck’s team are through barring disaster.
Sjoeke Nuesken drew Germany level from the penalty spot 10 minutes before Schueller’s second goal in as many games, cancelling out Amalie Vangsgaard’s rocket of an opener for the Danes.
Germany could have already been in the lead at that point as Klara Buhl’s fine strike was ruled out for Nuesken being offside and interfering with play.
The eight-time European champions were frustrated again in the 40th minute when after being given a spot-kick for a Frederikke Thogersen handball, VAR determined the offence occurred just outside the penalty area.
However VAR was in their favour when referee Catarina Campos was summoned to the pitch-side monitor and saw that Katrine Veje clumsily brought down Linda Dallmann and gave Nuesken her chance to equalise.
From there Germany were uncontainable and Schueller popped up in the right place to stroll onto Jule Brand’s easy pass and maintain Germany’s perfect start to the tournament.
Meanwhile, Portugal centre back Ana Seica credited the support of the team’s fans for inspiring them to a 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday that kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the Women’s Euros.
After suffering a 5-0 loss to world champions Spain in their Group B opener in Bern on Thursday, Portugal would have been forgiven for being low on confidence heading into the clash with Italy.
Not so their fans, and the drums of the Navegadoras pounded across the Stade de Geneve long before kickoff while chants and cheers urging the players to resist the Italians continued until the final whistle.
“Our fans are amazing,” Seica, who was an unused substitute, told Reuters after the game. “Even in the warm up, they’re already there. They’re already making noise ... it’s what keeps us going until the 90th minute.”
The Portuguese players responded to the cacophony of support with a performance of true grit as they held back wave after wave of Italian attacks.
“In this game, we came in a lot harder. We won more duels, something that we needed to improve, and it was shown on the pitch that we fought for it,” Seica said.
Goalkeeper Patricia Morais roared in relief to the crowd after making a save just before halftime but she was unable to stop Cristiana Girelli’s beautiful, curling finish in the 70th minute that looked to have sent Italy into the quarter-finals.
Portugal and their fans had other ideas.
Diana Silva’s header hit the back of the net in the 80th minute only to be disallowed for offside but, with only a minute left on the clock, the Portuguese fans exploded in delight as Diana Gomes equalised.
“We kept pushing, we kept our heart. That’s what we are known for ... and we got that goal,” said Seica.
The drums are sure to pounding again in Sion on Friday when Portugal face an already eliminated Belgium, looking for the victory they need to have a chance of staying in the tournament.
Agencies