Italy join Spain in Euro 2025 quarter-finals
Athenea, Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez scored the goals in Bern for Spain, who finished the group stage on a perfect nine points, five ahead of second-placed Italy, who will face Norway in the last eight on Wednesday.
Spain, meanwhile, will take on hosts Switzerland in a week as they aim to follow up their World Cup win two years ago with a first-ever Euros triumph.
Italy, who took the lead through Elisabetta Oliviero in the 10th minute, ended the group stage one point ahead of third-placed Belgium, who snatched a last-gasp win in Sion through Janice Cayman.
Belgium were already eliminated before kick-off, and only Portugal had a chance of overtaking Italy heading into the final round of Group B fixtures.
Advertisement
But Andrea Soncin's Italy started the game knowing that a defeat would have likely been enough for a spot in the quarters, even if Portugal beat Belgium due to the significant goal difference gap between the two teams.
Three points separated Italy and Portugal at kick-off, and Italian fans were able to relax when Tessa Wullaert stuck out her left leg to guide home Jill Janssens' low cross and put Belgium ahead in the third minute.
Shortly afterwards, Elena Linari thumped a header against the crossbar from Manuela Giugliano's corner, and then Oliviero gave Italy a shock lead by pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area after some poor defending from Spain.
But Spain soon began to assert their dominance, and four minutes later Athenea brought them level with a wonderful goal, dribbling towards the edge of the area before exchanging passes with Alexia Putellas and curling home a superb finish.
The Spanish continued to have the lion's share of possession, but Italy were dangerous on the break, with Martina Piemonte, up front in place of Cristiana Girelli, shanked wide when clean through on goal.
And Barbara Bonansea headed over Sofia Cantore's cross two minutes before the break as Italy pushed to retake the lead.
But Spain were deservedly in front three minutes after the break through Patri, whose sliced first-time finish crept past Italy goalkeeper Laura Giulinani.
Spain poured forward and added a third in stoppage time through Esther Gonzalez.
But it mattered little by that point as, even though Telma Encarnacao levelled late for Portugal, Cayman lashed home a loose ball in the 96th minute to give Belgium a thrilling win after they had two goals chalked off by VAR.
Italy's players jumped and hugged once Belgium's success was confirmed, before basking in the applause of their travelling support.
– © AFP 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Christian Horner could make shock return to F1 with Red Bull's rivals after brutal sacking and have very frosty reunion
CHRISTIAN HORNER is jobless for the first time since 2004 after his brutal Red Bull sacking last week. The 51-year-old is now twidling his thumbs on gardening leave for the rest of the year. 6 Christian Horner could be back in F1 next year after his Red Bull gardening leave Credit: AFP 6 Horner has had huge success with Red Bull but was brutally sacked last week Credit: Getty And Horner and will be weighing up his options from January 2026 onwards. Rumours have been swirling around over the Brit's potential destinations - including a shock move to Ferrari. Reports in Italian and German media begun claiming in May that Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur's position is under threat. Vasseur hit out at the reports and said they were "disrespectful" and "very harsh". But German outlet BILD has added fuel to the fire, claiming that Ferrari had made "informal" contact with Horner. Horner dismissed the report - but speculation will continue to grow as the weeks go by with him sitting on the sidelines. Come the Belgian Grand Prix later this month, Horner will be missing from the F1 paddock for the first time in nearly 21 years. And Horner, who won six constructors' championships and eight drivers' titles with Red Bull, will no doubt be getting itchy feet soon. Most read in Motorsport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS If Horner did pen an unlikely move at Ferrari it would see him form a wild pairing with his old rival, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton has a Ferrari contract until at least the end of 2026 and is already a huge voice within the Italian team. Christian Horner SACKED by Red Bull F1! Shock Departure After 20 Years It is likely he would not be impressed if Horner replaced Vasseur, given he is a big fan of the Frenchman and has thrown his support behind him in public. When Vasseur's future was under speculation, Hamilton said: "I love working with Fred – Fred's the main reason I'm in this team and got the opportunity to be here, for which I'm forever grateful for, and we're in this together. 'We're working hard in the background, things aren't perfect but, for me, I'm here to work with the team but also with Fred. "I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top, so that's that. So it's all nonsense." Bad blood Hamilton took a strong take on Horner's alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' with a female colleague last year. The ex-Red Bull boss was twice cleared from it by an independent investigation but Hamilton said it was "hanging over the sport" and said the outcome was "important for the future of F1". He also hit out at Horner in 2023 for "stirring" when he claimed Hamilton tried to join his team after leaving Mercedes. At the time Horner said that a member of Hamilton's team had been in touch over a possible switch to Red Bull earlier in the year. Hamilton rebuffed it and said Horner had actually been the one to text him and try set up a meeting. Obviously there was bad blood going back between the two during 6 There is speculation Horner could replace under-fire Fred Vasseur at Ferrari Credit: Getty 6 Horner could find himself in a frosty partnership with Lewis Hamilton Credit: Getty 6 There is still some bad blood after Max Verstappen's controversial world title win over Hamilton in 2021 Credit: AP Hamilton changed his tune Recently, with Horner still at Red bull, Hamilton admitted he regretted referring to Red Bull as a "drinks company" in 2011. His comments suggested that he is previous beef with Horner was water under the bridge. At Silverstone he said: "Many, many years ago, I remember saying something about Red Bull being only a drinks company. 'I always regretted it because I was just saying that Mercedes at the time were great. "I was really just trying to gee up my team. But the truth is, Red Bull have been an incredible team. There are so many people there that are exceptional and they've dominated for years.' Horner makes his feelings on Hamilton known It feels like Horner would have no qualms working with the British 40-year-old, who he has praised in public this season. Speaking earlier in the year, Horner said of Hamilton's Ferrari move: "I've seen some pictures, I think it [Ferrari red] suits him. "It's great for Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari – that really is box office. "I think it's just another dynamic for this year that could be super exciting." Back in 2023, Horner was asked whether he would sign Hamilton for Red Bull. Read more on the Irish Sun He replied: "What Lewis has achieved in F1 is second to none, but we're very happy with the drivers that we have – they're committed as a pair for not only this season but the next season as well. "I can't see where we would be able to accommodate Lewis, but I'm sure they're [Mercedes] going to sort their issues out and we're certainly not writing him off yet." 6
Irish Independent
13 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Liverpool reveal Luis Diaz plan after rejecting Bayern Munich's too-low bid
The German champions had already made an approach for Diaz, which Liverpool had rebuffed, but they returned with a bid for the 28-year-old. Liverpool see Diaz, who scored 17 goals last season to help them win the Premier League title and who flourished as both a left winger and a striker for Arne Slot, as a key player for this season and the rest of his contract, which ends in 2027. They believe Diaz is worth over €100m, a value they had attached for auditing purposes and in reference to the prices commanded by other high-class forwards in the Premier League and international transfer market. They are aware there is also a long-standing interest in Diaz from the Saudi Pro League, where Bruno Fernandes, who is two years older than the Liverpool player, was a €100m target for Al-Hilal. Barcelona had also shown interest in Diaz, but Liverpool had told the Spanish champions the former Porto player is not available. Barca subsequently switched their attentions to Nico Williams, who instead decided to stay at Athletic Bilbao, while Marcus Rashford is also a target for them. Bayern are looking for a replacement for winger Leroy Sane, who has joined Galatasaray on a free transfer, while the club's record appearance-maker, Thomas Muller, has also left and they will be without the injured Jamal Musiala for the first few months of the season.
Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Ex-Liverpool star Jordan Henderson says Keith Andrews influenced Brentford move: ‘As soon as I had that conversation'
Henderson will take the shirt previously worn by club captain Christian Norgaard, who left for Arsenal last week in a deal worth up to £12million. Norgaard's departure has left a significant leadership void that Henderson is expected to fill. But the 35-year-old says that, whilst his experience will be important, he has to prove he can still compete in the Premier League. 'I try my best to pass on my experiences, especially to the younger players. But, at the same time, I still need to perform and do my job on the pitch," Henderson said after signing a two-year deal with Brentford. 'It's a given that I'll help everybody around me but, even at my age, you can still learn a lot, you can still improve, and you can still get better, which is what I want to do at this club.' Henderson, who lifted seven major trophies, all but one of which as club captain, across a 12-year Liverpool career, praised the influence of Brentford head coach Keith Andrews, saying the former Ireland international was a big reason behind him coming to west London. He continued: 'When I spoke to Phil Giles, Lee Dykes and Keith [Andrews], I just had a really good feeling about everything. As soon as I had that conversation, it was clear for me that I wanted to come here, and it was an easy decision in the end. Even at my age, you can still learn a lot, you can still improve, which is what I want to do at this club Jordan Henderson 'When I spoke to Keith a few times, he was very good and very honest, and he's excited to get started as well. He was another big reason why I wanted to come and try to help the club keep moving forward.' In a summer of upheaval, with Brentford losing long-serving head coach Thomas Frank, captain Norgaard, and potentially both star forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, Henderson's arrival should help provide stability. The 84-cap England international has made 431 Premier League appearances, and his sights are set on making Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad ahead of next year's World Cup. Henderson becomes Brentford's fourth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Antoni Milambo, Caoimhín Kelleher and Michael Kayode.
