By Eloise Smallbone (07/07/2025)
Above: Spain celebrate their win. Photo: SEFutbolFem on X.
Spain 6 – 2 Belgium
Team news and context:
As Group B’s second matchday started, Spain were in a significantly better position than Belgium. They were sat at the top of the group after a convincing win over Italy, whereas Belgium needed to avoid defeat against the world champions to maintain some control over their fate in Group B.
Belgium and Spain have met twice already this year in the Nations League, where Spain won both games. They beat Belgium 3-2 at home, and then 5-1 away. They also met in the Euros qualifiers twice, with Spain winning on both occasions.
Cata Coll started on the bench again after being ill with tonsilitis, according to Spanish media. Aitana Bonmatí also started the game on the bench, after she was substituted on late in the Portugal game. Irene Paredes returned to the squad after being suspended for the first game, replacing Maria Mendez.
Belgium head coach Elisabet Gunnarsdóttir kept the same starting 11 as their first gameday defeat to Italy.
Scorers: Alèxia Putellas (22’) 1-0, Justine Vanhaevermaet (24’) 1-1, Irene Paredes 2-1(39’), Hannah Eurlings (50’) 2-2, Esther González (52’) 3-2, Mariona Caldentey (61’) 4-2, Clàudia Pina (81’) 5-2, Putellas (86’) 6-2.
Highlights:
Putellas opened the scoring for Spain in the first half, however Vicky López demonstrated why she is being discussed as one of the tournament’s players to watch, creating the space for Putellas’ superb strike. There were many of Spain’s star players putting in top class displays, with Mariona Caldentey, Clàudia Pina and Irene Paredes standing out.
Whilst the scoreline reflects Spain’s dominance, there were lots of important positive takeaways for Belgium. Vanhaevermaet’s goal in the 50th minute was initially ruled out for offside but VAR overturned the decision, and in the first half, Belgium responded very quickly to Spain. Belgium’s performance also highlights that despite the quality that Spain have, they can still show vulnerabilities, particularly defensively.
Belgium were able to be clinical when Spain presented the opportunities, especially when it comes to set pieces. Even if this did not pay off for Gunnarsdóttir’s side today, other teams in the competition could use that to their advantage.
Player of the match: Clàudia Pina
Her goal was arguably one of the best that we have seen in the tournament so far, and she also consistently looked to be one of the players causing the Belgian defence trouble.
What next for the teams:
The result means that if Portugal fail to beat Italy later today, then Spain will progress to the knockout stages, before they even play their final group stage game. The result leaves Belgium in a very difficult position, as their future in the tournament is now out of their own control. Italy avoiding a defeat against Portugal would see Belgium eliminated.
Portugal 1-1 Italy
Team news and context:
As the second game of Group B kicked off, Portugal knew that they needed to avoid defeat to ensure they weren’t eliminated from the competition. Francisco Neto made five changes to the team who lost 5-0 to Spain, including replacing their goalkeeper Ines Pereira with Patricia Morias. Ana Borges, Kika Nazareth, Joana Marchao and Ana Capeta also started. Italy started with the same team who beat Belgium in their opening game.
Scorers: Christiana Girelli (70’) 0-1, Diana Gomez (89’) 1-1
Highlights:
The first half of the game saw Italy dominate, however neither side had many clear chances. Tensions started to grow towards the end of the first half with Portugal believing that they deserved a free kick. Emma Severini did put the goal in the back of the net for Italy in the 36th minute, however VAR overruled it because of an offside. Throughout the half, Italy looked the more threatening of the two sides but didn’t have a goal to show for it.
In the second half, Italy continued to dominate possession and look to be the team more likely to get the first goal. Their moment of magic came when Cristiana Girelli throughout the second half especially
Portugal later had their own moment of magic, when Diana Gomes sent the ball into the roof of the net, getting her country back into the game. Diana Silva had previously had a goal disallowed as she was offside, which was an emotional moment within the game, as she paid tribute to Diogo Jota in her celebrations.
The end of the game was frantic as both sides had moments where they tried to score the winner, especially with Portugal’s Ana Borges being sent off within just over a minute left to play in added time, after shoving Barbara Bonansea.
Player of the match: Christiana Girelli
Girelli was my player of the match, scoring a brilliant goal to put Italy ahead. She demonstrated how clinical she was, as well as being one of Italy’s standout players throughout the game.
What next for the teams:
A draw between the two sides means that neither team have secured their place in the knockout stages. Italy sit in second place on the table, with a win under their belt and the better goal difference. However, Italy’s disadvantage is that they have still got to face their strongest test, when they play Spain on Friday. Portugal will face Belgium, who have already been eliminated because of the result, and could still go through to the knockout stages if they beat Belgium.
Moment/player of the day
Matchday 6 involved two very different types of games for the viewer: Spain vs. Belgium was an exciting game with plenty of goals, and Spain displayed their brilliance but my moment of the day was Gomez scoring Portugal’s equaliser in the 89th minute. Portugal vs. Italy had been an exciting game and the tension had been building, with neither side having many clear chances until the 70th minute. Gomez’s goal was special after Portugal had already had a goal overruled because of offside, and hearing the roars and cheers from the Portuguese fans and the celebrations from Neto and the Portugal bench will be an unforgettable tournament moment.
Group standings:
- Spain – 6pts – +9 GD
- Italy – 4pts – +1 GD
- Portugal – 1pt – -5 GD
- Belgium – 0pts – -5 GD
Find the rest of our Euros catch-ups here:
Group A Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/02/weuro-2025-group-a-gameday-1-review/
Group A Gameday 2: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/06/womens-euros-group-a-norway-v-finland-switzerland-v-iceland/?_thumbnail_id=78026
Group B Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/03/womens-euros-group-b-belgium-v-italy-spain-v-portugal/
Group C Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/04/womens-euros-group-c-sweden-v-denmark-germany-v-poland/
Group D Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/06/womens-euros-group-d-cymru-v-netherlands-france-v-england/
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