
Italy’s Euro 2025 Campaign Gathers Momentum but Spain Will Provide Huge Test
By Dan Cancian
Upon arriving at Euro 2025 with the tag of dark horses, Italy were all too aware they ought to get out a difficult group first if they were to live to their reputations.
Drawn alongside Portugal, Belgium and world champions Spain, progress to the knockout stage was by no means guaranteed.
Two games in and the Azzurre have held up their end of the bargain, beating Belgium and drawing with Portugal, only after conceding an 89th-minute equaliser.
Had it not been for Diana Gomes’ late strike, Italy would have been through to the quarter-final for the first time in 12 years. Instead, they must now avoid defeat by Spain, who are already qualified, in their final Group B game on Friday night.
What is the situation in Group B?
Spain are through after picking up maximum points from their opening two fixtures. They dismantled Portugal 5-0 in their opening game and then thrashed Belgium 6-2 on Monday to top Group B going into the final round of games.
Italy are two points adrift, with Portugal three points behind them and Belgium eliminated after losing both of their opening fixtures.

What do Italy need to qualify?
The Azzurre will punch a ticket to the quarter-finals as long as they avoid defeat by Spain at Wankfdorf Stadium in Bern on Friday, regardless of what happens between Portugal and Belgium.
Should Italy lose, they could still progress as Portugal need a six-goal swing. Then again, Spain have won their first two matches by an aggregate score of 11-2, so this may not be a straightforward conclusion.
Were Italy to upset Montse Tome’s team they would qualify as group winners.
If Italy finish second they will face Group A winners Norway in Geneva on Wednesday, but were they to beat Spain they would play Group A runners-up and host Switzerland in Bern next Friday.
How have Italy been at the Euros so far?
Near-flawless, save for the late equaliser conceded against Portugal.
Cristiana Girelli may be 35 but she remains Italy’s most potent attacking weapon and scored her 59th international goal in her 122nd cap against Portugal, while Arianna Caruso has been a driving force in midfield and Cecilia Salvai has been the pick of the bunch in the back three.
While Spain have dominated the ball so far, Italy have averaged just 45% of possession in their first two fixtures.
That has not diminished their attacking threat, with Italy creating two big chances against Belgium and five against Portugal, nor has it put them under pressure defensively, with Laura Giuliani having to make just two saves in 180 minutes.
But relinquishing possession against a team of Spain’s quality could be a recipe for disaster and Andrea Soncin hinted at a change in approach this week.
“When playing a team that dominates possession, it’s not just about winning the ball back,” the Italy manager said. “We must be determined to be incisive when we have possession, all while being aware of their strengths.”
Soncin has opted for a 3-5-2 formation against Belgium and Portugal, but may consider switching to a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 to give Spain something to think about. Significantly, when Italy drew 1-1 against Spain in their most recent meeting in October, they fielded three forwards.
Have Spain really been that good?
In a word, yes. The runaway favourites at the beginning of the tournament, the world champions have only enhanced their credentials in their first two games.
Spain have scored 11 goals and conceded two, while averaging a staggering 75.5% possession and completing 85.5% of their attempted passes. Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has only featured off the bench after recovering from a bout of viral meningitis, but La Roja have not missed a beat with Alexia Putellas and Esther Gonzalez already bagging three goals apiece.
Still only 18 years old, Vicky Lopez has settled into international football with the confidence of a veteran and Patri Guijarro has provided a calm, steely influence in midfield.
With qualification already assured, Tome may well opt to rest some of her players, but she has such an array of world-class options to choose from that Spain will remain a formidable opponent no matter the XI selected.
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