Portugal v Belgium, Italy v Spain

By Eloise Smallbone (11/07/2025)

Above: Belgium celebrate their first and only win of the tournament. Photo: UEFA.

Portugal 1-2 Belgium

Above: Janice Cayman celebrates her goal. Photo: UEFA website.

Team news and context:

Belgium were already eliminated from the competition before facing Portugal, however Portugal’s fate was also out of their hands to a certain extent. Portugal could have progressed as Group B’s runners-up if they beat Belgium and Italy lost to Spain, subject to goal difference. Portugal and Belgium both only made one change to their starting line-ups from their previous games: Ana Borges, who was sent off against Italy, was replaced by Catarina Amado for Italy, and Hannah Eurlings was replaced by Jassina Blom for the Red Flames.

Scorers: Tessa Wullaert (3’), Telma Encarnação (87’), Janice Cayman (90+6’)

Highlights:

Tessa Wullaert, the Red Flames’ top scorer, put her side ahead early on, scoring her first goal of the tournament. However, Belgium were on the receiving end of two goals being overturned by VAR later in the game. The first was Toloba’s goal, which was disallowed for a foul in the build-up, and Portugal were given a free kick. They later had a second goal disallowed for offside.

Telma Encarnação scored an equaliser for Portugal in the 87th minute, when she fired the ball inside the near post, however it wasn’t enough to beat Belgium, and potentially send Portugal through to the knockout stages.

Another key moment of the match was Jassina Blom suffered an injury in the first half. She was stretchered off after medics being on the pitch for few minutes, after making her first start for Belgium at the tournament.

Player of the match: Tessa Wullaert

A goal and a would-be assist had Toloba’s effort not been offside, she provided pace down the right wing for Belgium and was the most potent Belgian threat.

What next for the teams:

Belgium had already been eliminated before Group B’s third matchday, however securing their first win of Euro 2025 was a monumental moment for the team.

The loss meant heartbreak for Portugal who finish third in the group and are eliminated from Euro 2025, after having the opportunity to potentially go through to the quarter-finals if they had secured the win.

Italy 1-3 Spain

Above: Spain celebrate their win. Photo: UEFA website.

Team news and context:

Before the start of Matchday 10, Spain had already secured their place in the quarter-finals. Italy had the opportunity to go through to the knockout stages as group winners, if they were able to beat Spain. However, they also knew there was a scenario that would stop them going through: if they were defeated by Spain and there was a six-goal swing between them and Portugal. Spain made six changes to their starting line-up, with Aitana Bonmatí making her first start of the tournament. Laia Aleixandri and Ona Batlle were rested, likely because if either of them received a yellow card against Italy they would be suspended for the quarterfinal.

Scorers: Elisabetta Oliviero (10’), Athenea del Castillo (14’), Patri Guijarro (49’), Esther Gonzalez

Highlights:

Elisabetta Oliviero opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game, with her first ever international goal. However, it didn’t take long for Spain to equalise, with Alèxia Putellas providing the assist for Athenea del Castillo, to bring Spain level. Patri Guijarro then put Spain ahead in the 49th minute.

It looked like Italy may have had the chance to equalise, when Irene Paredes dived to head the ball, but it made contact with her arm. VAR looked at the penalty call, however, this wasn’t given as Sofia Cantore was offside before the penalty incident.

Spain sealed the win, and the top spot in Group B, with a goal from Esther González in stoppage time, with Putellas securing another assist.

Spain also equalled England’s record of goal involvements in a Euros group stage, with 14 goals.

Player of the match: Alexia Putellas

With two assists, the natural choice. She assisted both del Castillo’s goal and González’s goal, picking up the right positions for her teammates in the penalty box. She has equalled the record for goal involvements in a Euros group stage, which was previously set by Beth Mead in Euro 2022.

What next for the teams:

Both teams have proceeded to the knockout rounds of the competition. Spain have finished top of the group and will face Switzerland in their quarter-final, on Friday 18th July. Italy will face Norway on Wednesday 16th July, after making it out of the group stages for the first time since 2013.

Moment/player of the day

The moment of the day was Cayman’s goal for Belgium, which turned out to be the match winner. Belgium were previously unable to secure a victory at the tournament, despite causing problems for both Spain and Portugal, and what the victory meant to Belgium’s players, fans and staff was evident at the full-time whistle. Cayman’s winner felt special for Belgium within the game itself too, after having two goals previously disallowed for offside.

Group standings:

Spain – 9pts – +11 GD

Italy – 4pts – +1GD

Belgium – 3pts – -8GD

Portugal – 0pts – -6GD

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 A Gameday 3: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/11/womens-euros-group-a-finland-v-switzerland-norway-v-iceland/

Group B Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/03/womens-euros-group-b-belgium-v-italy-spain-v-portugal/

Group B Gameday 2: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/07/womens-euros-group-b-spain-v-belgium-portugal-v-italy/

Group C Gameday 1: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/07/04/womens-euros-group-c-sweden-v-denmark-germany-v-poland/