The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals delivered a rollercoaster of emotion, drama, and unforgettable moments that have set the stage for an electrifying semi-final lineup. Across four gripping matches, fans witnessed a blend of resilience, tactical brilliance, and nerve-wracking penalty shootouts that will be etched in tournament history.
Italy’s clash with Norway was a showcase of grit and determination. Entering as slight underdogs, Italy’s Cristiana Girelli proved to be the heroine, opening the scoring in the 50th minute shortly after Norway missed a penalty. Norway’s Ada Hegerberg responded with an equalizer in the 66th minute, keeping the tension high. However, as the clock ticked toward full time, Girelli struck again with a stunning header off the crossbar in the 90th minute, sealing a 2-1 victory for Italy. The win highlighted Italy’s composure under pressure and their ability to seize critical moments.
Meanwhile, reigning champions England faced a daunting task against a formidable Sweden side. Sweden dominated early, with Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius scoring within the first 25 minutes, exploiting England’s defensive lapses and midfield struggles. For much of the match, England seemed on the brink of elimination, but everything changed in the final quarter. Substitutions proved pivotal; Chloe Kelly’s entrance sparked life into the Lionesses. Lucy Bronze pulled one back in the 78th minute with a towering header, and just two minutes later, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang calmly leveled the score, marking her first senior international goal in a tournament setting. The match went into extra time and ultimately to penalties, where England’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was the star, making two decisive saves. England triumphed 3-2 in the shootout, a testament to their never-say-die spirit and resilience.
The hosts Switzerland faced a stern test against world champions Spain. From the outset, Spain controlled possession and dictated the tempo, with their midfield maestro Aitana Bonmatí orchestrating play with exceptional vision. Bonmatí’s influence culminated in a precise assist in the 66th minute, setting up Spain’s opening goal. Claudia Pina then extended the lead in the 71st minute with a powerful strike from outside the box, securing a 2-0 win for Spain. Despite the home crowd’s fervent support, Switzerland struggled to penetrate Spain’s defense, though goalkeeper Livia Peng’s efforts kept the scoreline respectable.
The final quarter-final in Basel was a tense showdown between Germany and France, a match packed with drama and emotional highs. Just 13 minutes in, Germany’s Kathrin Hendrich was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, leaving her team a player down. France capitalized immediately with a penalty from Grace Geyoro. Yet Germany’s resilience shone through as Sjoeke Nüsken equalized with a powerful header. The match remained deadlocked at 1-1 through extra time, leading to a penalty shootout that captured the spirit of the tournament. Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the standout, saving two penalties and even scoring one herself. Her performance, including a world-class save considered by many as the tournament’s best, was instrumental in Germany’s 6-5 shootout victory. France, despite having two goals disallowed for offside, were left to rue missed opportunities.
Each quarter-final encapsulated a unique storyline—from Italy’s late heroics and England’s stunning comeback to Spain’s dominance and Germany’s gritty perseverance. The semi-finals now promise a thrilling clash of styles and mentalities. Spain, on paper, appear the most complete side, but England’s tenacity, Italy’s momentum, and Germany’s experience ensure the tournament remains wide open.
The semi-final fixtures are set: England will face Italy at 20:00 BST on July 22, 2025, while Germany and Spain will battle it out the following day at the same time. Fans can expect high drama as these four teams vie for a place in the final.
England’s dramatic quarter-final victory also made waves off the pitch. The match against Sweden attracted a peak television audience of 7.4 million on BBC, alongside three million streaming on BBC iPlayer. Moreover, the BBC Sport website’s live text coverage garnered over 8.3 million views, underscoring the growing popularity of the Lionesses and women’s football in the UK. Combined, the TV and streaming audience for the England-Sweden match reached 10.4 million, surpassing the 9 million viewers who tuned in for England’s quarter-final win over Spain in 2022.
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, reflected on the thrilling victory, saying, “I was biting my nails on the sofa with the rest of the fans. What a win for the Lionesses!” She added, “We can’t wait for Tuesday. We’ll be bringing fans closer to the action with full commentary and analysis on BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC Sport website, and the BBC Sport app.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s quarter-final win over France was watched by 10.7 million viewers on Germany’s ZDF and over five million on France’s TF1, demonstrating the tournament’s broad European appeal.
Looking ahead, ITV will broadcast England’s semi-final clash with Italy, while the BBC will air the Spain versus Germany match. Both networks will also provide coverage of the final on Sunday, July 27, 2025, promising comprehensive access for fans across the UK.
As the tournament intensifies, the combination of on-field drama and off-field enthusiasm highlights the evolution and rising stature of women’s football. With such compelling narratives unfolding, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of fans worldwide.
