Italy reached the quarter-finals of Girls’s Euro 2025 on Friday regardless of dropping 3-1 to Group B winners Spain, the Azzurre ending forward of rivals Portugal whose match ended with a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
Athenea, Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez scored the targets in Bern for Spain who completed the group stage on an ideal 9 factors, 5 forward of second-placed Italy who will face Norway within the final eight on Wednesday.
Spain in the meantime will tackle hosts Switzerland in every week’s time as they purpose to comply with up their World Cup win two years in the past with a first-ever Euros triumph.
Italy, who took the lead by Elisabetta Oliviero within the tenth minute, ended the group stage one level forward of third-placed Belgium who snatched a last-gasp win in Sion by Janice Cayman.
Belgium have been already eradicated earlier than kick-off and solely Portugal had an opportunity of overtaking Italy heading into the ultimate spherical of Group B fixtures.
However Andrea Soncin’s Italy began the sport understanding {that a} defeat would have doubtless been sufficient for a spot within the quarters even when Portugal beat Belgium because of the vital purpose distinction hole between the 2 groups.
Three factors separated Italy and Portugal at kick-off and Italian followers have been capable of chill out when Tessa Wullaert caught out her left leg to information residence Jill Janssens’ low cross and put Belgium forward within the third minute.
Shortly afterwards Elena Linari thumped a header in opposition to the crossbar from Manuela Giugliano’s nook, after which Oliviero gave Italy a shock lead by pouncing on a unfastened ball within the penalty space after some poor defending from Spain.
However Spain quickly started to claim their dominance and 4 minutes later Athenea introduced them degree with a beautiful purpose, dribbling in the direction of the sting of the world earlier than exchanging passes with Alexia Putellas and curling residence an outstanding end.
The Spanish continued to have the lion’s share of possession however Italy have been harmful on the break, with Martina Piemonte, up entrance instead of Cristiana Girelli, shanked huge when clear by on purpose.
And Barbara Bonansea headed over Sofia Cantore’s cross two minutes earlier than the break as Italy pushed ot retake the lead.
However Spain have been deservedly in entrance three minutes after the break by Patri whose sliced first-time end crept previous Italy goalkeeper Laura Giulinani.
Spain poured ahead and added a 3rd in stoppage time by Esther Gonzalez.
But it surely mattered little by that time as although Telma Encarnacao levelled late for Portugal, Cayman lashed residence a unfastened ball within the 96th minute to present Belgium an exhilarating win after they’d two targets chalked off by VAR.
Italy’s gamers jumped and hugged as soon as Belgium’s success was confirmed, earlier than basking within the applause of their travelling assist.
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