Women’s EURO 2025: Hegerberg leads Norway to opening 2-1 win over host nation Switzerland

Norway star Ada Hegerberg led her team to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over host nation Switzerland despite missing a penalty in its opening game at the Women’s European Championship on Wednesday.

The home team dominated the first half and went ahead in the 28th minute when Nadine Riesen capitalised on some pinball-machine Norwegian defending to score in off the left post.

Hegerberg equalised against the run of play with a header to Vilde Bøe Risa’s corner in the 54th, four minutes before Switzerland’s Julia Stierli scored an own goal trying to stop Caroline Graham Hansen’s cross for Hegerberg.

But Hegerberg – the all-time Women’s Champions League top-scorer – sent her penalty to the left of the post in the 70th after Géraldine Reuteler was penalized for hand ball while trying to defend against the Lyon star.

Reuteler had sent the ball crashing off the crossbar for the dominant Swiss in the first half.

Switzerland was awarded a penalty after Hegerberg’s miss only to have the decision overturned after a VAR review for an offside call.

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The Swiss players looked crestfallen after the game, as did veteran coach Pia Sundhage who had called this job her “ biggest challenge ” before the tournament. Switzerland was looking for just its second win in seven matches at a European Championship.

Many fans stayed in their seats to applaud the team afterward.

This game — the second of the tournament after Finland’s 1-0 win over Iceland — was preceded by the Euro 2025 opening ceremony. UEFA said the modest ceremony celebrated “the pinnacle of European team spirit” while emphasising “diversity, unity and the triumph of women’s football on its greatest stage.”

Both captains wore rainbow armbands to underline the message.