Esther Gonzalez continued her impressive form at Euro 2025 by netting her fourth goal of the tournament, helping Spain to a hard-fought 3-1 win over Italy and securing their perfect record at the top of Group B.
Despite the loss, Italy still progressed to the quarter-finals in second place, as Portugal failed to get the result they needed in a simultaneous clash against already-eliminated Belgium.
Italy got off to a bright start, surprising the Spanish with a strong opening. Captain Elena Linari came close with a powerful header that rattled the crossbar, before Elisabetta Oliviero broke the deadlock with a sharp left-footed finish that beat Adriana Nanclares.
However, their lead was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Athenea del Castillo carved through the Italian defence and combined neatly with Alexia Putellas, who backheeled the ball into her path. Del Castillo made no mistake, smashing the equalizer past the Italian goalkeeper.
Italy had chances to regain the lead before the break, with Martina Piemonte dragging her shot wide after being played in by Oliviero, and Barbara Bonansea heading over from close range.
After the interval, Italy maintained their high tempo, but it was Spain who struck next. Del Castillo once again caused havoc with a solo run, and although she was eventually dispossessed, Patri Guijarro pounced on the loose ball at the edge of the area and found the bottom corner with precision.
Spain controlled the closing stages, with goalkeeper Nanclares making a key save to deny Sofia Cantore. In added time, Gonzalez sealed the win, tapping in from close range after another clever assist from Putellas.
Spain will now face hosts Switzerland in the quarter-finals, while Italy are set to meet Norway.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s slim hopes of qualifying from Group B were dashed after a 2-1 defeat to Belgium in Sion.
To advance, Portugal needed a win and a six-goal swing in their favour—hoping Italy would lose heavily to Spain. But Belgium, who had already been knocked out following defeats to both Spain and Italy, struck early through captain Tessa Wullaert, who converted a low cross from Jill Janssens inside the opening minutes.
Portugal equalized late in the match when Telma Encarnacao found the net with just three minutes remaining. But Belgium snatched all three points thanks to Janice Cayman’s last-gasp goal deep into stoppage time.
Earlier, Portugal had several golden opportunities to equalise. Ana Capeta missed two clear chances, failing to chip over goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus before half-time, and then hitting a tame shot at the near post shortly after the restart.
Belgium looked to have doubled their lead when Mariam Toloba scored, but the goal was overturned for a foul in the build-up after a VAR review. Moments later, Toloba was denied again when her header from a Wullaert cross struck the post.
Encarnacao’s late equalizer briefly offered hope, but after another Belgium goal by Amber Tysiak was disallowed for offside, Cayman secured the victory with a dramatic late strike.
With Spain’s 3-1 win over Italy confirmed, Belgium climbed to third place in Group B with three points, just one behind the Italians. Portugal finished bottom, earning a single point from their three group games.
