As the thrilling Group B action of the UEFA Women’s European Championship 2025 reaches its climax on Friday, July 11, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. With the world champions Spain already secured in the knockout stages, the focus shifts to who will join them from this fiercely competitive group. The drama unfolds in two crucial matches: Italy versus Spain and Portugal versus Belgium, both set to take place at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Switzerland.
Yesterday’s matches set the stage for this dramatic finale. Host nation Switzerland secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Finland thanks to a 92nd-minute goal, earning their spot in the quarter-finals and eliminating Finland from contention. Meanwhile, Norway continued their perfect tournament run by edging out Iceland 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller, with standout performances from Signe Gaupset and Frida Maanum, who both scored braces to ensure Norway topped their group.
Turning to Group B, Spain enters the final group game already assured of a knockout spot after an impressive display that has seen them set a new record for most goals scored in a single Women’s Euros tournament, netting 11 goals in just two games. Their opponents, Italy, are in a strong position to join them in the quarter-finals. The Azzurre currently hold a three-point lead over Portugal, and a draw against Spain would be enough to secure their progression. However, a surprise win over Spain could see Italy top the group, adding extra spice to this high-stakes encounter.
Italy’s hopes hinge significantly on the form of veteran striker Cristiana Girelli. The Juventus forward, who recently became the second oldest player to score for Italy at the European Championship at 35 years and 75 days, has been a key figure for the team. She opened her tournament account in the 1-1 draw against Portugal, demonstrating her ability to challenge even the strongest defenses. Italy’s coach, Andrea Soncin, remains optimistic, stating that causing an upset against the tournament favorites is well within their capabilities.
Meanwhile, Portugal faces a daunting task in their bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. The Portuguese side, making just their third appearance at the Euros, suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Spain in their opening match. However, they showed resilience by securing a late 1-1 draw against Italy, thanks to an 89th-minute goal from defender Diana Gomes. Gomes has been a pivotal player for Portugal, and her contributions will be crucial if they hope to upset Belgium and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Portugal’s path to the knockout stage is narrow and fraught with challenges. They must defeat Belgium by a significant margin to overcome their -5 goal differential and hope for a sizable Spanish victory over Italy. Only then can they leapfrog Italy on goal difference or goals scored, as the tiebreaker rules also consider disciplinary points and European Qualifiers phase rankings, where Italy currently holds the advantage.
Belgium, on the other hand, enters Friday’s match already eliminated from the tournament after two defeats. Their campaign included a narrow 1-0 loss to Italy and a heavy 6-2 defeat to Spain, where they conceded five unanswered goals in the second half. Despite their exit, Belgium’s Justine Vanhaevermaet and Hannah Eurlings have shown glimpses of attacking threat, both having scored during the tournament. Their performance on Friday could still influence the final standings in this tightly contested group.
The Portugal versus Belgium match is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET at the Stade de Tourbillon and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1. Fans can also stream the game via FuboTV, which offers a free trial, making it accessible for viewers eager to catch all the action. The Italy versus Spain clash promises to be a tactical and intense battle, with both teams aware of the stakes involved.
In the broader context of the tournament, UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 marks its 14th edition this year, hosted by Switzerland from July 2 to July 27. The championship has seen remarkable growth in competitiveness and global viewership, with comprehensive broadcast coverage spanning numerous countries and streaming platforms worldwide. This expansion continues to elevate the profile of women’s football across the continent and beyond.
As the final group matches unfold, all eyes will be on the pitch to see who can seize their moment. Will Italy manage to upset Spain and claim top spot? Can Portugal pull off a historic win against Belgium and rely on Spain’s help to reach the knockout rounds? Or will Spain’s dominance continue, leaving Portugal and Belgium to bow out early? The answers will come soon, but one thing is certain: Group B of Euro 2025 is delivering drama, passion, and unforgettable moments.
Predictions ahead of the matches lean towards Spain continuing their strong form with a 2-0 victory over Italy, while Portugal and Belgium might settle for a 1-1 draw. However, football is famously unpredictable, and with so much at stake, surprises are always possible.
For fans of women’s football, Friday’s fixtures represent a thrilling crescendo to a fiercely competitive group stage, with history and pride on the line. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in Sion, Switzerland.
