Group C remains anyone’s to win – or lose – as Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and Sweden vie for a Euro 2022 quarter-final place in Sunday’s final games in the group.
Switzerland vs Netherlands, Sheffield, kick-off 5pm
Although they could still win the group, anything but a win will send Switzerland crashing out of Euro 2022 in the group stages.
A solitary point from their opening two games has given them an uphill task against the reigning European champions – and they have never beaten the Netherlands in a competitive fixture.
“I hope to see that they bring everything they have to achieve what we want to achieve, and then we have to see afterwards if it’s enough,” said head coach Nils Neilson, knowing even victory may not send Switzerland through if Sweden lose to Portugal.
Switzerland threw away a 2-0 lead to draw against Portugal before losing to Sweden last time out
Illness has not been kind to either camp across the tournament so far, with Switzerland’s stomach bug seemingly behind them with a full squad to pick from ahead of Sunday’s game.
The same cannot be said of the title holders, who had star striker Vivianne Miedema and midfielder Jackie Groenen missing for the win over Portugal after the pair caught Covid-19, while Aniek Nouwen was absent with an ankle problem. Manager Mark Parsons is hopeful to have all three back to face Switzerland.
Netherlands need only a point to seal qualification but with the winners of Group C avoiding a quarter-final clash with a promising France side, topping the table will be a priority for Parsons and his team.
Sweden vs Portugal, Leigh, kick-off 5pm
Sweden’s performances have not lived up to their No 2 world ranking, but they need only a point to progress to the knock-out stages
Sweden have reached the knock-out phases of the European Championships in each of their 10 appearances in the competition – and their task is simple to continue that record against Portugal on Sunday.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side need only a draw to reach the quarter-finals although as mentioned above, will be keen to avoid a last-eight meeting with France should they finish as runners-up. Bettering the Netherlands’ result against Switzerland would do just that, while if both sides win, the group winners will be decided by goal difference.
Portugal were not even planning to take part in this tournament until UEFA announced them as Russia’s replacements in May, but have kept their dream alive into their final group game and have already proven themselves resilient opposition despite picking up only a solitary point so far.
Portugal have twice battled back from 2-0 down in as many games this tournament, but were edged out 3-2 by Netherlands in their last match
They battled back from 2-0 down against Switzerland to draw their opening game in the competition and did likewise against the Netherlands on Wednesday, only to fall foul of Danielle Van de Donk’s winner just after the hour mark in a 3-2 defeat.
That performance, coach Francisco Neto hopes, will build a sense of confidence in his squad. He said: “By competing against team like the Netherlands, we are getting stronger, and that will continue in the [Sweden game]. Again, we are going to be competitive, and the way the Dutch players celebrated [their win against us] shows their respect for what we did.”
Portugal need to win, with a Netherlands draw or victory guaranteeing their progress. If Portugal and Switzerland both win, there will be some heads being scratched to determine who is through or not, as with all teams on four points goal difference, goals scored and then disciplinary rankings would be used to attempt to split them.
Follow Euro 2022 across Sky Sports
Keep up with all the latest from Euro 2022 across Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
The pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where matches are being played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the tournament to Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast from 21 June. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a strong programme line-up around the tournament.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: The schedule…
Group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland
Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark
Saturday July 9
Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium 1-1 Iceland
Group D: France 5-1 Italy
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland
Group A: England 8-0 Norway
Tuesday July 12
Group B: Denmark 1-0 Finland
Group B: Germany 2-0 Spain
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden 2-1 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 3-2 Portugal
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy 1-1 Iceland
Group D: France 2-1 Belgium
Friday July 15
Group A: Austria 1-0 Norway
Group A: Northern Ireland 0-5 England
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout phase
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Friday July 22
Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
Tuesday July 26
Semi-final 1: Winners quarter-final 1 v Winners quarter-final 3 – kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-final 2: Winners quarter-final 2 v Winners quarter-final 4 – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2 – kick-off 5pm, Wembley