Spain comes from behind against Italy in the Women's Euro

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, July 12, 2025, p. a11

Bern. With less brilliance, but just as decisive, Spain came from behind to beat Italy 3-1 yesterday at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, to finish the first round of the Women's European Championship with a clean sweep, advancing to the top of Group B and facing Switzerland in the quarterfinals next Friday.

La Roja came back from Elisabetta Oliviero's goal (in the 10th minute) with goals from Athenea del Castillo (14), Patri Guijarro (49) and Esther González (90+1).

Italy, second in Group B after Belgium beat Portugal 2-1 in Sion, will play Norway in Geneva on Wednesday.

Despite the victory, Belgium (third) was eliminated from the tournament, as was Portugal (fourth).

Spain started with its usual high school football style, constantly triangulating and changing positions to unsettle anyone.

But the world champion's ultra-offensive approach, with virtually all of its players on the opposing field, carries many risks.

The Azzurri did not waste their opportunity. First, they created a scare with a move that left goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares hesitant, and then with a header from Elena Linari (10) that hit the crossbar from a corner kick.

In the following action, a ball that the Spanish defense failed to clear ended up at the feet of Oliviero, who did not forgive and celebrated his goal in style (1-0).

Spain responded immediately with one of the best plays of the tournament. Athena started on the right wing, left two opponents behind, and leaned on Alexia Putellas, who returned the ball with a backheel to place it in the top corner and make it 1-1.

After the draw, the Iberians monopolized possession, but without the fullness of previous matches due to a lack of balance in their defense: with each loss of the ball, the team broke apart and Italy managed to mount a counterattack.

At the start of the second half, Athena's inspiration gave La Roja a 2-1 lead.

In the final stretch, Esther González, who had started on the bench, made it 3-1 after a Putellas goal to reach four goals, becoming the tournament's top scorer.

Queen Alexia finished the first round with three goals and four assists, although this time the award for best player went to Guijarro.