World champions Spain clinched their place in the knockout rounds of the Women’s European Championship as they thrashed Belgium 6-2.
La Roja are the favourites to lift the trophy and underlined that status with an emphatic victory that confirmed Belgium’s exit from the tournament.
Alexia Putellas opened the scoring by lashing home in the 22nd minute at the end of a superbly worked move, only for Justine Vanhaevermaet to nod Belgium level four minutes later with a header from a near-post corner.
Irene Paredes rose to restore Spain’s lead six minutes before half-time with a powerful header from Claudia Pina’s corner. However, Belgium responded again five minutes after the second-half restart, Hannah Eurlings levelling after being played through by strike partner Tessa Wullaert.
Esther Gonzalez finished confidently into the bottom-left corner to give Spain the advantage for a third time following excellent work from Putellas, and from there they did not let up.
Mariona Caldentey netted from close-range just after the hour mark and Pina put the game beyond doubt with a sublime curling effort into the top-right corner in the 81st minute.
Claudia Pina showing why Spain are the tournament favourites 👏 pic.twitter.com/3f5Uv9bxrE
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 7, 2025
The instrumental Putellas fittingly had the final say by flicking home to double her tally, the Barcelona star registering her fourth goal involvement as Spain breezed to victory.
Portugal 1-1 Italy
Spain’s place in the last eight was confirmed as Portugal and Italy played out a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Italy looked to have sealed a place in the quarter-finals when Claudia Girelli bent home a stunning 70th-minute opener from the edge of the area.
Diana Silva appeared to have equalised when she fired in on the rebound after hitting the post with a header, paying tribute to compatriot Diogo Jota with her celebration.
However, her effort was ruled out as VAR confirmed Silva had strayed narrowly offside.
But Portugal did find an emotional 89th-minute leveller as Dolores Silva pulled back for Diana Gomes, who looped an unconventional finish over Laura Giuliani.
DIANA GOMES! 🇵🇹
It loops over the keeper as Portugal find a late equaliser pic.twitter.com/PZjcCB5uQl
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2025
Portugal captain Ana Borges was sent off in the 96th minute after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Italy’s Barbara Bonansea, but the Azzurri could not find a winner.
The result keeps Portugal’s hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals alive, but they must beat Belgium and hope Italy lose to Spain with a seven-goal swing in goal difference to make it to the knockout stages.
