Spain claimed a 3-1 victory over Italy on Friday, sending both teams to the knockout stage of the women’s Euro tournament. The Spaniards are set for a clash against host country Switzerland, while the Italians will take on Norway, the winners of Group A.
Spain topped their group with a flawless nine points from three matches, while Italy secured second place with four points. Belgium, having already been eliminated, deprived themselves of any chance to advance with a 2-1 loss to Portugal.
The energetic style of Spanish football stood out as they faced Switzerland, although they once again struggled to find their rhythm until late in the game, ultimately delivering some impressive offensive plays.
Italy took the early lead in the 10th minute thanks to a powerful header from Captain Elena Linari that rebounded to Elizabetha Oliviero just seconds later.
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Italy coordinated well on the left flank, with Martina Piedmont finding room for a shot that Spain’s Mariona Caldente attempted to control, but ultimately set up Oliviero for the goal.
This ignited Spain, who equalized just four minutes later, taking command of the ball possession as reigning world champions and Nations League holders.
Patri Guijarro pushed Spain ahead in the second minute of the second half, while the Italians struggled to escape from their defensive zone for the remainder of the match. Estelle Gonzalez sealed the game with a third goal for Spain.
Guijarro expressed satisfaction with how Spain clinched the top spot in their group, acknowledging areas for improvement.
“I’m proud of our three wins. The match was challenging, but we finished first in the group, so now we’ll head to the quarterfinals,” she stated. “They played well, and we need to work on our ball recovery and apply pressure immediately after losing possession.”
Spain will face Switzerland in Bern next Friday, while Italy is set to encounter Norway in Geneva on Wednesday.
Fan Take: This match highlights Spain’s strength as a contender in international women’s soccer, signaling their potential to make a deep run in the tournament. For fans, it not only showcases emerging talent but also raises the profile of women’s soccer, potentially inspiring a new generation of players.
