Spain Crush Belgium 6-1 To Enter Euro 2025 Quarters

Last Updated:July 08, 2025, 11:13 IST

Spain will clinch the group if they avoid defeat against Italy, who are two points behind Spain in second place after being denied qualification late by third-placed Portugal.

Esther Gonzalez celebrates after scoring Spain's third goal. (AP Photo)

Spain advanced to the quarterfinals of Women’s Euro 2025 on Monday after the reigning world champions overwhelmed Belgium with a 6-2 victory, while Italy were held to a 1-1 draw against Portugal at the last moment. A brace from the exceptional Alexia Putellas, along with goals from Irene Paredes, Esther Gonzalez, Mariona Caldentey, and Claudia Pina, secured Group B leaders Spain their second emphatic win.

Montse Tome’s team will clinch the group if they avoid defeat against Italy, who are two points behind Spain in second place after being denied qualification late by third-placed Portugal, on Friday. Given Spain’s impressive performances, where they have scored 11 goals, few would bet against them finishing first.

“We knew they would try to sit back and hold us off at the beginning. We could have been better, but you need to adapt during the game. We managed to do that and create good opportunities," Tome told reporters. “We have to improve, but we did what we planned to do."

Belgium, who equalised twice through Justine Vanhaevermaet and Hannah Eurlings, are on the brink of elimination after being eventually overpowered by Spain’s relentless attacking play. They defended resolutely and posed a threat with some incisive counter-attacks until Caldentey scored Spain’s fourth goal in the 61st minute.

“It was difficult because I really believed in what we were doing and loved seeing my players give everything they had," said Belgium coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir. “I really think we gave them a good game for at least 60 minutes… I’m proud of them."

When Putellas finished off a slick passing move in the 22nd minute, it seemed Spain were on their way to a dominant win similar to their 5-0 thrashing of Portugal in the opening round. However, Vanhaevermaet quickly equalised, heading home Tessa Wullaert’s corner.

Paredes restored Spain’s lead six minutes before half-time with a powerful header from Pina’s deep corner. Belgium responded again, this time through Eurlings, who beat the offside trap and fired home in the 50th minute. Gonzalez scored her third goal of the tournament two minutes later after receiving Putellas’ precise through ball. Caldentey’s bundled finish from a corner just after the hour marked the end of Belgium’s resistance.

Pina scored her first goal of the tournament with 10 minutes remaining, and Putellas’ deft flick completed the rout shortly afterwards. In this form, Spain appear to be head and shoulders above the rest of the competition and are clear favourites to win their first-ever women’s European crown.

Italy Nearly Make It

Italy believed they were joining Spain in the quarterfinals when Cristiana Girelli broke the deadlock in Geneva with a superb curling effort with 20 minutes left. The Azzurre were fortunate 10 minutes later when Diana Silva’s rebound finish from a corner was ruled offside by VAR, denying her a goal.

However, in the 89th minute, Diana Gomes lobbed home an equaliser that secured a point for Portugal and kept them in the tournament, moments after Carole Costa’s header hit the crossbar.

“It was a very tough match, open until the end… a very open match against a Portugal team that gave everything," said Italy coach Andrea Soncin. “It’s a shame because we were in the quarters with a few minutes left, but it’s all still in our hands."

Gomes’ goal could prove crucial as Portugal, who are three points behind Italy, face Belgium while Italy take on Spain. Italy currently have a goal difference six better than Portugal, but with Spain up next, a significant swing is not hard to imagine.

With AFP Inputs

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