Italy beats Belgium 1-0 in their Euro 2025 opener in what could prove to be a pivotal win
SION, Switzerland — Italy secured what could prove to be a pivotal opening victory in the Women's European Championship by beating Belgium 1-0 on Thursday.
Article content
Arianna Caruso scored on the stroke of halftime to give Italy an advantage in a tough Group B, which World Cup winner Spain is expected to top. The first two in the group will progress to the quarterfinals — and Belgium, Italy and Portugal will likely face a close battle for second.
Article content
Article content
Two-time runner-up at the Euros, Italy hasn't reached the knockout stage since 2013.
Article content
The victory was also revenge for Italy, which lost to Belgium in the group stage at Euro 2022 and came into the match on a streak of three straight defeats to the Red Flames.
Article content
UEFA announced earlier that a minute's silence would be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday in memory of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, who were killed in a car accident in Spain.
Article content
The first half was finely poised, with a lot of good moves from both sides but a lack of final product as neither goalkeeper was really troubled.
Article content
Article content
The most threat came from Belgium captain and all-time top goalscorer Tessa Wullaert and the Inter Milan forward had the best chance five minutes from the break. Her initial shot was blocked and she then sent her second attempt just wide of the left post.
Article content
Italy broke the deadlock just four minutes later. Lucia Di Guglielmo picked out Caruso, who had been left completely unmarked on the edge of the area by the Belgian defense, and the Bayern Munich midfielder advanced into the left side of the box before cutting in and curling into the near top corner.
Article content
Cristiana Girelli almost doubled Italy's lead in stunning fashion in the 64th minute with a back-heeled attempt from close range that drew an impressively quick reflex save from Belgium goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus to turn it away with her foot.
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
31 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Euro 2025: Sweden beats Denmark yet again this year on Filippa Angeldahl's goal
GENEVA (AP) — Sweden swept past Denmark yet again on Friday, winning 1-0 at the Women's European Championship for a third victory this year over its near neighbor. One month after a 6-1 rout in Stockholm, Filippa Angeldahl's smart finish of a neat passing attack in the 55th minute was enough for an impressive Swedish team on another hot evening in Switzerland. Angeldahl severely tested Denmark goalkeeper Maja Bay Ostergaard to save a long-range free kick in the first half and beat her with more power in the second. The midfielder exchanged passes with captain Kosovare Asllani — making her 200th appearance for Sweden — before striding on to shoot low past Ostergaard's dive. Denmark star forward Pernille Harder's shot from distance rattled the Sweden crossbar in the 81st. Later Friday in Group C, favored Germany was playing Poland in St. Gallen. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. It was the third time Sweden and Denmark opened a Women's Euros facing each other and it ended 1-1 in both 2005 and 2013. Sweden beat Denmark twice in a Nations League group this year, starting with 2-1 in Odense in February. That time, Harder was marked toughly by veteran Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson who has been her partner since 2014. Eriksson was a surprise absence from the lineup on Friday due to a muscle strain lingering since a warmup game. She was ably replaced by 38-year-old Linda Sembrant, playing her 157th game for Sweden. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
31 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wales celebrates its first ever press conference at a women's major tournament at Euro 2025
LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson and midfielder Angharad James celebrated their country's first ever press conference at a women's major tournament at Euro 2025 on Friday. Wales press officer Owain Harries informed assembled journalists of the premiere and was rewarded by a round of applause and cheers. Wilkinson and James laughed and clapped, while Wilkinson did a little dance in her seat before the questions started. 'This is it,' said Wilkinson, a former Canada player and assistant coach. 'I can't wait for the bus to arrive, to watch these women walk out onto the field, to see where they're going to get, to step on and make history.' Wales, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, makes its uropean Championship debut against the Netherlands in Group D on Saturday. The Welsh threatened to qualify for major tournaments in recent years but it took a playoff win over Ireland to make the dream a reality. 'It's been something that we've always strived to achieve, and we've always come short but not anymore. We're here,' James said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Wales has been landed in arguably the toughest group, however, with heavyweights France and England, the defending champion, also in Group D. 'Underestimate us all you want but we know that we're ready for the fight, we're ready for each game and we're ready to be here, to be present and take on each team as it comes,' James said. 'We're ready.' After the players' training session in the stadium, they were joined on the field by all of the team staff and coaches for a photo. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
France captain Griedge Mbock ruled out of Euro 2025 opener against England
ZURICH (AP) — France will be without captain Griedge Mbock for its opening match at the Women's European Championship against defending champion England. Mbock has been struggling with a right calf injury and trained apart from her teammates on Thursday, two days before France's opener in Zurich. France coach Laurent Bonadei confirmed on Friday that the experienced Paris Sain-Germain defender has been ruled out of the match. 'Unfortunately, Griedge still feels a bit of discomfort in her calf so we won't take any risks,' he said. 'The tournament has only just started and she needs specific care. 'She will be with us tomorrow but not on the field, unfortunately for her and for us.' After England, France next plays tournament debutant Wales on Wednesday before its final match in Group D four days later, against the Netherlands. Bonadei said he was 'quite confident that she will be able to join us quickly.' The 30-year-old Mbock has made 92 appearances for France — starting 81 of those — since her debut 12 years ago. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Mbock will likely be replaced in defense by Alice Sombath or Thiniba Samoura, while PSG teammate Sakina Karchaoui could be handed the captain's armband. 'Griedge is someone who is very important in the group, she is our captain,' Karchaoui said. 'But even if she won't play the match, she will still be with us, she always has good words to tell us. 'But today we also have a strong group and we can count on all the players … that's also our strength, that no one is irreplaceable.' ___ AP soccer:
