Sweden inflict Germany's biggest-ever Euros loss

Sweden handed Germany their biggest-ever defeat at a Women's European Championship, with a 4-1 win to secure top spot in Group C.

Germany, who also go through to the quarterfinals as runners-up, were hampered by a first-half red card for Carlotta Wamser.

The Swedes finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from their three games and will take on the runners-up in Group D -- which features France, England, Netherlands and Wales -- with the Germans taking on the winners of that group.

It was the first time Sweden beat Germany at the Euros and secured a potentially easier route to the final, avoiding the possibility of facing World Cup winners and Euro 2025 favourite Spain in the semifinals.

"It's very important to build on a good feeling and gain confidence, now we can look forward," goalscorer Stina Blackstenius said.

It was the first time Germany had conceded four goals at a Women's Euro. They had previously only lost one match by multiple goals in the competition, with a 3-1 defeat to Denmark in 1993's third-place match.

"We started the game very well. We were fully in it and the better team," Germany's Klara Buhl said.

"We then give the game away in 10 minutes, that's incredibly bitter. We have to put that behind us as quickly as possible."

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Germany got off to a flying start, slicing Sweden open through the middle as Wamser slid the ball into the path of Jule Brand, who managed to slip it past Jennifer Falk despite the Swedish keeper getting a touch.

The Swedes struck back within five minutes, striker Blackstenius expertly timing her run in behind the defence and latching on to Kosovare Asllani's ball before flashing a shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to level.

Though the Germans looked dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line, it was the Swedes who took the lead through Smilla Holmberg in the 25th minute, the fullback marauding into the box before losing control and then steering an attempted clearance into the net from a tight angle.

Germany's challenge fell apart in the 32nd minute when Wamser was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball. and Fridolina Rolfö scored from the spot to make it 3-1 in her 100th international.

"The red card was decisive," Germany coach Christian Wück said. "We couldn't fight back into the game with one less player on the pitch."

While Germany made the odd dangerous foray in the second half, Sweden exploited their numerical advantage and substitute Lina Hurtig put the game beyond reach with a close-range finish in the 80th minute.

Sweden play their quarterfinal in Zurich next Thursday, while the Germans will have two extra days of rest before playing their game in Basel on Saturday.

Information from ESPN Research, Reuters and The Associated Press and was used in this report.