Women’s Euro 2025 Talk | Spain reach the QF’s in ruthless fashion & what an end to Portugal vs Italy
A chaotic day with Group B’s matches sees Spain win a goal-filled match with Belgium and Portugal and Italy play out a dramatic climax to their match in Geneva.
Anybody think Sunday’s action was good? Well yesterday’s Group B games were filled with a lot more drama, as we were given one highly-entertaining, goal-filled encounter, and the other produced a pulsating finish that left you breathless by its end.
Group B’s second matchday was a little bit bonkers to say the least as Spain beat Belgium in an eight-goal thriller to qualify for the quarter-finals, and then Portugal vs Italy turned into an emotionally charged game that sprung into life after a moment of absolute quality from Cristiana Girelli.
I say we just get into it all then, because there is a lot to cover regarding everything that happened yesterday. No pressure on today’s Group C matches, but they have a lot to live up to…
Spain are through after eight-goal chaos with Belgium
Safe to say we saw the best game of the tournament so far as Spain scored six in their win over Belgium, who did look like they could were pull off something pretty incredible after bringing the game level on two occasions before Spain turned into their ruthless best and proved their credentials as the ones to beat at these Euros. Although some teams might have learnt a thing or two about them after this one.
It wasn’t as quick of a good start for Spain this time like it was against Portugal, but Alèxia Putellas got things up and running in the 22nd minute for the first of her goals in this game. The 1-0 lead didn’t last long as Justine Vanhaevermaet headed in off a corner in Belgium’s first attack since going behind. The first signs of a Spain team that could be got at when not switched on defensively.
Irene Paredes marked her return from suspension with the goal to put Spain back in front before half-time. The levels hadn’t been raised to their highest in that first half despite dominance in possession with 82.6% their recorded possession at half-time. Seeing how the game had gone, it was easy to think that Spain could run away with it from there, but Belgium weren’t done with creating a little bit of chaos.
Cue the entertaining second half then, and it started in the 50th minute with Hannah Eurlings timing her run well enough and finishing with power past Adriana Nanclares to make it 2-2. Belgium certainly had the capabilities to exploit the typical high line that Spain operates with. Also, their experience of having played them recently gave them the knowledge of how to find the route through that defensive line with only the clinical edge required to really make a game out of it.
While Belgium might have learnt the way to get at Spain’s defence, they hadn’t figured out the way to stop their attacking forces, and ultimately Spain turned up the heat and immediately Esther González restores the lead for Spain making it 3-2 after a well-timed run of her own and then a top finish for her third goal of the tournament.
Mariona Caldentey increased the lead further as Belgium’s poor defending was properly on show with players pretty much just watching Caldentey put the ball into the net to make it 4-2. It didn’t feel like Belgium were going to come from behind again, and time went by before Clàudia Pina scored the fifth with a banger of a goal, which we have come used to seeing her produce if the last few months are anything to go by with her. Alexia Putellas scored the sixth goal five minutes after her, and it took her level with her teammate on three goals at the European Championships.
It was a massive standout performance from La Reina in this game, and it was like watching the Alèxia Putellas of a couple of years ago when she was recognised as the best player in the world. She was linking up play brilliantly with her teammates around her and putting through defence-splitting passes like it was nothing.
She managed to achieve an interesting stat as well in that was just the second player on record (since 2013) to be directly involved in four or more goals in a single Euros match. England’s Beth Mead against Norway in 2022 is the other player to have managed that.
For Spain overall so far, it’s 11 goals over two group games which still feels surprising to me even though we know Spain are very capable of being this clinical and ruthless. This game showed them being tested in moments though, and you just have to wonder whether a team with a bit more defensive structure can actually stop them in their tracks, while also carrying a threat of their own in getting behind a defence that does leave gaps in behind.
What will matter for them is that they’re into the quarter-finals now, so next they’ll want to finish top of the group and navigate their way through the rest of this tournament with the hope of winning it. Belgium on the other hand will be exiting once the group stages end, and they’ll be wondering where it’s gone wrong for them as they did well to expose the flaws of the Spanish national side. However, defensive flaws of their own have seemingly cost them as well.
"I’m feeling really good – not because of the goals or assists, but because of how I feel out there, the sharpness. I said it before the tournament started: I’ve been feeling great. In some games things come off, in others they don’t, but the work is always there, and that’s what matters – putting it to the service of the team.“
Spain’s Alèxia Putellas speaking after the game
"It's heartbreaking but at the same time, I'm very proud of my team because I know the belief was there and they gave everything. We took some chances and played with good courage during the first half and big parts of the second half. We came back from Spain leading twice, which is not easy against this team. For the future, those are good signs.“
Belgium coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir speaking after the game
Portugal vs Italy ends in a highly entertaining draw
We have a game that has ended in a draw for the first time at these European Championships, and it happened in dramatic fashion as Portugal and Italy played out an end to this game where you could not take your eyes off what you were watching. Two teams that wanted to win it in those last few minutes purely because of how important winning the game was to both of them as they aim to reach the quarter-final stages.
Talking about the first half to begin with, Italy put on most of the pressure in it with Portugal doing well to ride a lot of the wave they found themselves under. Emma Severini had a goal ruled out fairly for offside as well, and it was Andrea Soncin’s side who would have possibly felt the better of the two teams.
Portugal had the odd moment here and there, with their best outlet attempt being trying to get it to Diana Silva in behind Italy’s defence, which didn’t work out much, and she ended up having the least amount of touches out of any Portugal player in the first 45. If there was one thing Portugal had learned well, it was being able to be much stronger defensively. Some good progress for a team that has leaked in a lot of goals very easily in recent games.
Now to the second half, which started a lot less frantic than how it ended. Very little happened in the opening ten minutes, and it was almost like seeing two teams afraid to push on too far forward in hope of braking the deadlock and not being the team that would concede given the importance of getting a result. A moment of quality was needed from either team, and up stepped Cristiana Girelli for Italy in the 70th minute.
Serie A Femminile’s top scorer from this past season scored what was arguably one of the goals of the tournament with a stunning curler of an effort, showing such great composure in the moment on a counter-attacking chance for Italy. She just cut onto her right and found the top-right corner superbly, which earned her the emotional celebrations that she got as bodies piled on her in euphoria of that crucial goal for her side.
But would it end how they wanted? Not at all. The goal seemed to spur Portugal on and as the second half went by, some bold changes were made by coach Francisco Neto, which were paid off by the end of the game. Chances started to come for them and they were having way better attacking spells now. Diana Silva thought she got the equaliser and even made a touching tribute to Diogo Jota with the gamer celebration, but unfortunately for her it was ruled out as she was offside when she headed it into the net.
However, it didn’t stop Portugal’s momentum in trying to comeback into it. The crowd in attendance, mainly filled with Portugal fans it felt like, were right behind them and carried them to the all-important equaliser and salvage any sort of quarter-final hopes they had left. Then it happened, and all the emotions flooded out again as Diana Gomes flicked a header over the goalkeeper and into the goal in the 89th minute. Cue the emotional celebrations from Portugal this time and from there it ended 1-1, even if both teams had their opportunities to find a late winner.
Although just to add to the breathless ending, Ana Borges was sent off after she shoved into Barbara Bonansea and sent her into the advertising boards. Borges was given a second yellow card and off she went just before full-time.
With a game like this and how it played out, you just have to talk about the constant moments that it produced. From goals being disallowed to Portugal hitting the woodwork on a few occasions, and while it was Italy who had played the better of the two sides for most of it, Portugal came away from it as the happier team.
It means that it sets up a big last game for both of them, as that second-place spot is still to be decided. Italy have to avoid a heavy loss against Spain and then hope that Portugal don’t win against Belgium. Essentially, win or go home is what it is for Portugal on Friday, and I don’t doubt that they will give it their all considering how much emotion and effort went into their performance at the end.
The last thing I’ll add for this game is some deserved praise for one player who needs to be singled out for her display, and that’s Portugal’s goalkeeper Patricia Morais. Given that Portugal doesn’t necessarily have a regular number one goalkeeper, it was an impressive showing from her on her 99th cap for her country. She made some big saves, including one near the end as well, and with most saves you could see her let out the emotion, pumping her fists in celebration at her efforts. It took some goal to beat her on the night and you have to wonder if she keeps her place after yesterday evening’s performance?
"We were solid, we were brave. We played high, pressed our opponents, and played like a team in the European Championship. We're a team with personality and ambition. It's not easy when you're losing, then you score but it's disallowed again, and then score again! I'm very proud."
Portugal coach Francisco Neto speaking after the game
"It's a shame. We were two minutes away from qualifying, but destiny is still in our hands and we are very confident that we can continue our dream.“
Italy coach Andrea Soncin speaking after the game
Group C Games Preview
Germany vs Denmark
After starting well against Poland, Germany will be hoping to secure their place in the quarter-finals with a victory against Denmark, who were beaten last time out against Sweden. For Christian Wück’s Germany, it took two second-half goals from Jule Brand and Lea Schüller to beat the tournament-debuting opponents. While Denmark were undone by a Filippa Angeldahl goal in the first half of their game.
There was one moment which had slightly overshadowed the win for Germany and that was the injury to captain Giulia Gwinn, which has now ruled her out of the rest of the tournament. That does mean they will be forced into a defensive change, with Carlotta Wamser in from the start. She got an assist for one of the goals in the last game, so she is well capable of filling in for Gwinn.
As for Denmark’s team news, they could likely play with a similar team to the last game as there are no enforced changes that will have to be made due to injuries. Pernille Harder should start once again and will be up against some players in the Germany team who are her teammates at Bayern Munich, such as Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller, Linda Dallmann and Sydney Lohmann, just to name a few.
In this 5pm (BST) kick-off, Germany will be favourites to win this one based on what we have seen of both teams after their opening games. Interestingly, the last few meetings between the two nations have seen them trade wins back and forth between each other. Even though Germany won, they never massively impressed against Poland, and as for Denmark, they will be hoping to perform much better than they did against Sweden, or potentially exit the tournament at the group stages.
Poland vs Sweden
Poland take on Sweden in the 8PM (BST) kick-off with Sweden looking to assure themselves of a quarter-final spot with a victory against a Poland side, who did have a few bright moments against Germany in their last game despite being beaten. Sweden played well enough to get the 1-0 victory against Denmark, but also feel like a team that has another level to show off, and maybe they can showcase that in this Group C game.
Sweden had a lot of opportunities to score more than they did against Denmark, and Poland were a team that conceded many chances as well, so it feels like a game where Sweden will have most of the ball and look to create more, while Poland look to have a counter-attacking threat with Ewa Pajor the one for Sweden’s defence to be weary of.
Poland’s record against Sweden isn’t the greatest, as they have been beaten in all eight of their meetings against their opponents, having conceded 31 goals against the Swedes and scored just three goals in total.
The starting XI’s for both of these nations could be straightforward given that there aren’t any new injury issues between them since their last game. Sweden though could still be without Fridolina Rolfö after she missed the last game with injury troubles. If there are any rotations made in the squads, then you’d expect Sweden to have much more strength in depth compared to Poland.