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The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Euro 2025 power rankings: Spain reign but France and England impress too
Spain were favourites coming into the Euros and, based on their form in Group B, they still are. They matched England's Euro 2022 record of 14 goals in the group stage. Alexia Putellas is continuing her charge for the Ballon d'Or with three goals and four assists and has lit up their midfield while the 18-year-old Vicky López has impressed in her first major tournament. While in sensational form going forward, their defence does leave opportunities for their opposition. Montse Tomé's side will be favourites to win the quarter-final against hosts Switzerland but it will be a mouth-watering occasion in Bern. Sweden were undeniably impressive in the group stage. While Denmark caused them a few issues in their opening win, Peter Gerhardsson's side truly got their title challenge up and running with a comprehensive victory over Poland and a demolition of Germany. That marked their first Euros win over the Germans in six attempts. Spreading goals around the team is a bonus but the defence remains their weakness, particularly when against pace. Nevertheless, they go into the quarter-finals unbeaten in 15 matches and full of confidence. France caught the eye by outplaying England in their Group D opener and they look like a team on an unbeaten run. The manner of their comeback against the Netherlands will only have helped their confidence. The strength of their wide play is second to none with Sandy Baltimore and Delphine Cascarino in good form. Their No 9 Marie-Antoinette Katoto has also opened her account for the tournament, putting to bed the ghosts of Euro 2022 where she suffered an ACL injury. As with many sides in this tournament, they have defensive frailties that can be exploited as all three opponents in the group showed. England started the tournament slowly with defeat by France but have started to click into gear. For Sarina Wiegman's side it was more the manner of that opening performance that was disappointing, but they have since put things right. A couple of tweaks to their gameplan and they scored a combined 10 goals against the Netherlands and Wales. Lauren James is showing exactly what she is about on this major stage while Ella Toone is playing some of the best football of her career. The Lionesses still look frail defensively, especially when faced with a strong transitional side. Progressing with three wins from three looks impressive but when you delve into Norway's performances things look a little less rosy. Gemma Grainger's side were expected to top Group A but they have struggled for cohesion. Switzerland and Finland both gave them a scare but the experience and quality of Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen came through. With Italy up next, they will feel they have a chance to progress deep into the competition. The manner of their 4-1 drubbing by Sweden will have left a sour taste before the quarter-finals. Two wins from two before that meeting in Zurich got the job done for Christian Wück's side but they have not looked convincing, particularly defensively. The loss of captain Giulia Gwinn to a medial ligament knee injury in their opening victory against Poland was a blow and they will now have to do without her back-up Carlotta Wamser for the next match after her brilliant impression of a goalkeeper earned her a straight red card. Football fever has swept through Switzerland as Pia Sundhage's team progressed to the European Championship knockouts for the first time. The hosts' prospects looked uncertain given their indifferent form, but they have impressed, their youthful side embracing the opportunities of a major tournament. Captain and centurion Lia Wälti continues to lead by example while Géraldine Reuteler has stood out with three player of the match-winning performances. A dramatic injury-time equaliser from Riola Xhemaili against Finland to send them through only added to the fairytale. Andrea Soncin's side were many people's dark horses coming into the tournament, and without setting the world alight, they have impressed in reaching the knockouts for the first time since 2013. An edgy win over Belgium after a wonder goal by Arianna Caruso got their campaign up and running but was followed by a disappointing draw with Portugal, marked by wastefulness in front of goal. But they put in a strong showing in defeat by Spain, particularly in the first half, to show they can grow into the competition. A quarter-final encounter with Norway is a huge opportunity. One of the surprise packages, Finland gained admiration for their inspired performances despite their elimination. An opening win over Iceland marked their first at a Euros in 16 years and represented a good achievement for Marko Saloranta and his side. Their performance against Norway caught the eye despite defeat as they put Gemma Grainger's team under significant pressure. The manner of the draw against Switzerland was heartbreaking – an injury-time equaliser from the hosts knocked Helmarit out – but this developing squad will take so much from the experience. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion A campaign that started brightly soon descended into chaos. Their opening day win and the celebrations around Vivianne Miedema's 100th goal seem like a distant memory after two dispiriting defeats by England and France. Group D was always going to be a challenge but to concede nine in two matches is a serious concern. There is disruption behind the scenes with Andries Jonker's departure imminent – and there was a press room spat between him and a Dutch journalist. Then Daniëlle van de Donk initially said she had been fit after not starting against England, before backtracking, while the captain Miedema did not get on the pitch in their final match. Belgium's performances did not reveal anything that was not already known about Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side – strength in transition and dangerous in attack but leaky in defence and lacking structure. That counterattacking strength proved fruitful at times and they exploited Spain admirably before being dismantled at the other end of the field. A final-day victory over Portugal to avoid finishing last in Group C added a gloss and the 25-year-old forward, Mariam Toloba, was a standout performer throughout. Poland's first major tournament will have given the coach, Nina Patalon, and her team plenty of learnings and memories as they look to build. They achieved a series of firsts – Natalia Padilla-Bidas made history with their first goal on this stage while they held off a Danish comeback to secure their first win in the final game. The opening performance against Germany was admirable despite defeat. It is an exciting time for the women's game in Poland and this outing, however brief, will help. Francisco Neto's side came into the tournament on a downward spiral that was made more emphatic by the manner of their emotional opening day defeat by Spain. There is no shame in losing to La Roja but the five goals conceded just illustrated how poor they have been defensively in 2025. Diana Gomes's late equaliser against Italy provided one of the more dramatic games of the group stage. Perhaps a rethink is needed as they look to World Cup qualification. Group C was always going to be tough for the Danes but this was their worst Euros performance. It can't have helped that the manager, Andrée Jeglertz, was announced as Manchester City's new manager on the eve of their first game. Denmark looked bright in spells but never really mounted a challenge and toiled when Pernille Harder was marked out of a game. They managed to salvage a little pride with late fightback against Poland but still succumbed to defeat and it proved too little too late. A sad ending to Nadia Nadim's career. The lowest-ranked team in the tournament were always going to struggle in the 'group of death'. Rhian Wilkinson's side did not get the luck of the draw in their major tournament bow. Despite three defeats, there will be plenty the Welsh can take back to Wales to try and back up this achievement. That their first goal in a European Championship was scored by Jess Fishlock seemed inevitable and the 38-year-old will now have a big decision to make about her future. Wilkinson pointed to the fitness gap between her side and the others while also making a rallying call to increase access to sport for girls in Wales. If Fifa World rankings are a real measure of a team, Iceland would have been the favourites in Group A despite registering one win since July 2024. However, Hildur Antonsdóttir's opening-day red card set the tone for a difficult campaign all round for Thorsteinn Halldórsson's side, that saw them defeated three times. A late rally against Norway gives hope for the future but there is an overreliance on the talent of Sveindís Jónsdóttir. The 20-year-old forward Katla Tryggvadóttir looked bright on her major tournament debut.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Euro 2025 power rankings: Spain reign but France and England impress too
Spain were favourites coming into the Euros and, based on their form in Group B, they still are. They matched England's Euro 2022 record of 14 goals in the group stage. Alexia Putellas is continuing her charge for the Ballon d'Or with three goals and four assists and has lit up their midfield while the 18-year-old Vicky López has impressed in her first major tournament. While in sensational form going forward, their defence does leave opportunities for their opposition. They will be favourites to win the quarter-final against hosts Switzerland but it will be a mouth-watering occasion in Bern. Sweden were undeniably impressive in the group stage. While Denmark caused them a few issues in their opening win, Peter Gerhardsson's side truly got their title challenge up and running with a comprehensive victory over Poland and a demolition of Germany. That marked their first Euros win over the Germans in six attempts. Spreading goals around the team is a bonus but the defence remains their weakness, particularly when against pace. Nevertheless, they go into the quarter-finals unbeaten in 15 matches and full of confidence. France caught the eye by outplaying England in their Group D opener and they look like a team on an unbeaten run. The manner of their comeback against the Netherlands will only have helped their confidence. The strength of their wide play is second to none with Sandy Baltimore and Delphine Cascarino in good form. Their No 9 Marie-Antoinette Katoto has also opened her account for the tournament, putting to bed the ghosts of Euro 2022 where she suffered an ACL injury. As with many sides in this tournament, they have defensive frailties that can be exploited as all three opponents in the group showed. England started the tournament slowly with defeat by France but have started to click into gear. For Sarina Wiegman's side it was more the manner of that opening performance that was disappointing, but they have since put things right. A couple of tweaks to their game plan and they scored a combined 10 goals against the Netherlands and Wales. Lauren James is showing exactly what she is about on this major stage while Ella Toone is playing some of the best football of her career. The Lionesses still look frail defensively, especially when faced with a strong transitional side. Progressing with three wins from three looks impressive but when you delve into Norway's performances things look a little less rosy. Gemma Grainger's side were expected to top Group A but they have struggled for cohesion. Switzerland and Finland both gave them a scare but the experience and quality of Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen came through. With Italy up next, they will feel they have a chance to progress deep into the competition. The manner of their 4-1 drubbing by Sweden will have left a sour taste before the quarter-finals. Two wins from two before that meeting in Zurich got the job done for Christian Wück's side but they have not looked convincing, particularly defensively. The loss of captain Giulia Gwinn to a medial ligament knee injury in their opening victory against Poland was a blow and they will now have to do without her back-up Carlotta Wamser for the next match after her brilliant impression of a goalkeeper earned her a straight red card. Football fever has swept through Switzerland as Pia Sundhage's team progressed to the European Championship knockouts for the first time. The hosts' prospects looked uncertain given their indifferent form, but they have impressed, their youthful side embracing the opportunities of a major tournament. Captain and centurion Lia Wälti continues to lead by example while Géraldine Reuteler has stood out with three Player of the Match winning performances. A dramatic injury-time equaliser from Riola Xhemaili against Finland to send them through only added to the fairytale. Andrea Soncin's side were many people's dark horses coming into the tournament, and without setting the world alight, they have impressed in reaching the knockouts for the first time since 2013. An edgy win over Belgium after a wonder goal by Arianna Caruso got their campaign up and running but was followed by a disappointing draw with Portugal, marked by wastefulness in front of goal. But they put in a strong showing in defeat by Spain, particularly in the first half, to show they can grow into the competition. A quarter-final encounter with Norway is a huge opportunity. One of the surprise packages, Finland gained admiration for their inspired performances despite their elimination. An opening win over Iceland marked their first at a Euros in 16 years and represented a good achievement for Marko Saloranta and his side. Their performance against Norway caught the eye despite defeat as they put Gemma Grainger's team under significant pressure. The manner of the draw against Switzerland was heartbreaking – an injury-time equaliser from the hosts knocked Helmarit out – but this developing squad will take so much from the experience. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion A campaign that started brightly soon descended into chaos. Their opening day win and the celebrations around Vivianne Miedema's 100th goal seem like a distant memory after two dispiriting defeats by England and France. Group D was always going to be a challenge but to concede nine in two matches is a serious concern. There is disruption behind the scenes with Andries Jonker's departure imminent – and there was a press room spat between him and a Dutch journalist. Then Daniëlle van de Donk initially said she had been fit after not starting against England, before backtracking, while the captain Miedema did not get on the pitch in their final match. Belgium's performances did not reveal anything that was not already known about Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side – strength in transition and dangerous in attack but leaky in defence and lacking structure. That counterattacking strength proved fruitful at times and they exploited Spain admirably before being dismantled at the other end of the field. A final-day victory over Portugal to avoid finishing last in Group C added a gloss and the 25-year-old forward, Mariam Toloba, was a stand-out performer throughout. Poland's first major tournament will have given the coach, Nina Patalon, and her team plenty of learnings and memories as they look to build. They achieved a series of firsts – Natalia Padilla-Bidas made history with their first goal on this stage while they held off a Danish comeback to secure their first win in the final game. The opening performance against Germany was admirable despite defeat. It is an exciting time for the women's game in Poland and this outing, however brief, will help. Francisco Neto's side came into the tournament on a downward spiral that was made more emphatic by the manner of their emotional opening day defeat by Spain. There is no shame in losing to La Roja but the five goals conceded just illustrated how poor they have been defensively in 2025. Diana Gomes's late equaliser against Italy provided one of the more dramatic games of the group stage. Perhaps a rethink is needed as they look to World Cup qualification. Group C was always going to be tough for the Danes but this was their worst Euros performance. It can't have helped that the manager, Andrée Jeglertz, was announced as Manchester City's new manager on the eve of their first game. Denmark looked bright in spells but never really mounted a challenge and toiled when Pernille Harder was marked out of a game. They managed to salvage a little pride with late fightback against Poland but still succumbed to defeat and it proved too little too late. A sad ending to Nadia Nadim's career. The lowest-ranked team in the tournament were always going to struggle in the Group of the Death. Rhian Wilkinson's side did not get the luck of the draw in their major tournament bow. Despite three defeats, there will be plenty the Welsh can take back to Wales to try and back up this achievement. That their first goal in a European Championships was scored by Jess Fishlock seemed inevitable and the 38-year-old will now have a big decision to make about her future. Wilkinson pointed to the fitness gap between her side and the others while also making a rallying call to increase access to sport for girls in Wales. If Fifa World rankings are a real measure of a team, Iceland would have been the favourites in Group A despite registering one win since July 2024. However, Hildur Antonsdóttir's opening-day red card set the tone for a difficult campaign all round for Þorsteinn Halldórsson's side, that saw them defeated three times. A late rally against Norway gives hope for the future but there is an overreliance on the talent of Sveindís Jónsdóttir. The 20-year-old forward Katla Tryggvadóttir looked bright on her major tournament debut.
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Putellas at the double as rampant Spain hit rain-soaked Belgium for six at Euro 2025
Spain, looking ominously ruthless, continued their rich goalscoring form to reach the knockout stages of the 2025 European Championship as they put six goals past Belgium on a rain-soaked evening in Thun. The world champions were twice pegged back by equalisers, but Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side were eventually overpowered and were eliminated by Portugal's 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday night, a result that also ensured Spain's place in the last eight. Spain had scored five times in their opening victory against Portugal last Thursday and went one better in their second outing. This Group B match was being contested in the pretty town of Thun, where surfers love to ride the Aare river, in the centre of the old town, including earlier on Monday afternoon, as the heavy downpours of rain only strengthened the river's force. Each time the surfers fell and were swept downstream, they would swim back upstream, to try their luck again, adjacent to the tournament fan zone. The scene proved rather reminiscent of Belgium trying to resist wave after wave of Spanish attacks in the second half, but it felt as though every time Belgium clawed themselves back into the match, a fresh torrent of Spanish brilliance swept them away again. Alexia Putellas began the relentless scoring when she rounded off a neat team move, after superb play from Vicky López, to clinically tuck the ball home. Justine Vanhaevermaet briefly stunned the pre-tournament favourites as she headed in from a corner, but Spain were soon back in front when Irene Paredes headed in to make it 2-1, towards the end of a first half where Olga Carmona had also driven a powerful strike narrowly wide. The crowd were momentarily sensing a monumental shock might be on the cards, when Hannah Eurlings sprinted in behind Spain's defence and slotted in, but almost immediately after the restart, Esther González met Putellas's outstanding pass to restore Spain's lead and make it 3-2. By this point, the Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, still returning carefully to full fitness after contracting viral meningitis before the tournament, had been brought on as a half-time substitute and she was showing her usual creativity and style in midfield. Her head coach, Montse Tomé, said: 'Aitana could play but I think we must be patient. According to the medical team, she is fine, but we don't want to risk her. As we have other players who allow us to keep the level. I believe Aitana will be 100%.' Spain were mounting pressure and shortly after the hour Mariona Caldentey tucked in from close range, before a marvellous strike from Clàudia Pina in the 81st minute, curled into the far corner from distance, made it 5-2 with a goal that will undoubtedly be included in the goal‑of-the-tournament shortlist. Putellas said of Pina's strike: 'Her goal was special, as always. Honestly, she's so good, it was a perfect goal, it was impossible to stop it.' Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Putellas, who was named player of the match, showed her class with a fine finish for her second of the game and Spain's sixth, and Tomé's team continue to look like they will justify their status as favourites. The Barcelona midfielder said: 'The team had an excellent performance. We have room for improvement but the team is feeling fine, we feel comfortable that if something doesn't work, we can change and adapt.' Tomé's side will top Group B if they continue their form against Italy in their final group match, and the head coach was full of praise for Putellas, in particular, adding: 'Alexia has a high performance for the whole team. She thinks collectively. She understands the spaces, she flows, and you see she enjoys it. I'm glad for her and also for the rest of the team.' Gunnarsdóttir, appeared crestfallen by her team's fate but was also proud of their endeavour in attack. Trying to see the bigger picture, the Icelandic coach said: 'When I was hired to coach the team, it was about more than leading the team to the Euros – it was about building a team that can compete regularly against the top teams in Europe. 'I've only been here for five months. I've learned so much. I know I have a lot more to learn [but I] really feel we're going in the right direction. I would never have taken this job if I didn't believe the Red Flames could be a top nation in Europe. 'I walked into the locker room today and I really wanted to cry. I loved seeing my players giving everything they had. I'm going to be happy with a lot of things but it's going to take some time until I get to a point where I see it.'
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Putellas on the double as rampant Spain hit Belgium for six at rain-soaked Euro 2025
Spain 6 Belgium 2 Spain continued their rich goalscoring form and closed on the knockout stages of Women's Euro 2025 as they put six goals past Belgium on a rain-soaked evening in Thun. The world champions were twice pegged back by Belgian equalisers, but Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side were eventually overpowered and Belgium will now be eliminated unless Portugal beat Italy in Monday's late kick-off. Spain, who had scored five times in their opening victory against Portugal last Thursday, went one better in their second outing and will now be guaranteed a quarter-final spot unless Portugal beat the Italians and both of those sides also overturn huge goal-difference deficits with victories on Friday. This Group B match was being contested in the pretty Swiss town of Thun, where surfers love to ride the Aare river, in the centre of the old town, including earlier on Monday afternoon, as the heavy downpours of rain only strengthened the river's force. Each time the surfers fell and were swept downstream, they would swim back upstream to try their luck again, adjacent to the tournament fan zone. The scene proved rather reminiscent of Belgium trying to resist wave after wave of Spanish attacks in the second half, but it felt as though every time Belgium clawed themselves back into the match, a fresh torrent of Spanish brilliance swept them away again. Alexia Putellas began the relentless scoring when she rounded off a neat team move, after superb play from Vicky López, to clinically tuck the ball home. Justine Vanhaevermaet briefly stunned the pre-tournament favourites as she headed in from a corner, but Spain were soon back in front when Irene Paredes headed in to make it 2-1, towards the end of a first half which had also seen Olga Carmona drive a powerful strike narrowly wide. The crowd were momentarily sensing a monumental shock might be on the cards, when Hannah Eurlings sprinted in behind Spain's defence and slotted in but, almost immediately after the restart, Esther González met Putellas's outstanding pass to restore Spain's lead at 3-2. [ Spain thrash grieving Portugal in Women's Euro clash Opens in new window ] By this point, the Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, still returning carefully to full fitness after suffering from viral meningitis before the tournament, had been brought on as a half-time substitute and she was showing her usual creativity and style in midfield. Spain were mounting pressure and eventually, shortly after the hour mark, Mariona Caldentey tucked in from close range, before a marvellous strike from Claudia Pina in the 81st minute, curled into the far corner from distance, made it 5-2 with a goal that will undoubtedly be included in the goal-of-the-tournament shortlist. Putellas, who was deservedly named as the player of the match, showed her class with a fine finish to add her second of the game and Spain's sixth, and Montse Tomé's team continue to look like they will justify their status as favourites.
Fox Sports
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Spain on Brink of Euro 2025 Quarterfinals After 6-2 Win Over Belgium
World Cup champion Spain closed in on the quarterfinals of the Women's European Championship with another statement victory, 6-2 over Belgium on Monday. It was, surprisingly, the first time Spain won back-to-back matches at the Euros, after beating Portugal in its opener, 5-0. With 11 goals in two matches, Spain and its star-packed squad are living up to its billing as the tournament favorite. Spain will secure a place in the quarterfinals if Italy avoids defeat against Portugal later — a result that would also eliminate Belgium. Spain laid siege to the Belgium goal from the start. Mariona Caldentey played in a lovely pass from the edge of the area to Vicky López, who cushioned it on for Alexia Putellas to sweep into the far corner. [MORE: Spain's New Star, Vicky López, Announces Her Presence at Euro 2025] However, Spain's 22nd-minute lead lasted barely two minutes before Justine Vanhaevermaet headed in Tessa Wullaert's corner at the near post. Spain captain Irene Paredes was playing her first match of the tournament after being suspended from the opener, and she made it 2-1 before the break when she headed in a corner. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was brought on at halftime. She was hospitalized for viral meningitis before the tournament and played only eight minutes against Portugal. Belgium leveled again through Hannah Eurlings shortly after the restart. It was initially ruled out for offside but awarded by the VAR. Less than a minute later, Spain led for a third time when Putellas played in Esther González for the veteran forward to score her third goal of the tournament. When a González effort was blocked, the ball was not cleared and Caldentey fired in Spain's fourth. Clàudia Pina curled a sumptuous 20-yard effort into the top right corner and there was still time for Putellas — another two-time Ballon d'Or winner — to net her second of the match. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience UEFA Women's EURO Spain Belgium recommended Get more from UEFA Women's EURO Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
