Italy 1-3 Spain: Dominant Spain top Group B but feisty Italy could threaten in quarter-finals | OneFootball

Spain made it three wins out of three to top Group B with a comprehensive victory over Italy at Stadion Wankdorf.

Italy took a surprise lead in the 10th minute through Elisabetta Oliviero, however it wouldn’t last long, with Athenea del Castillo equalising only four minutes later.

Patri Guijarro gave La Roja the lead just after halftime, and Esther González put the contest to bed in the closing stages.

Despite falling short on the night, Italy still managed to qualify for the quarter-finals thanks to Belgium’s win over Portugal.

As it happened

The atmosphere was electric in Bern as Stadion Wankdorf hosted the final group-stage fixture for two of Europe’s footballing giants. Spain had already secured their spot in the quarter-finals following their thumping wins over Belgium (5-0) and Portugal (6-2), but Italy’s future in the tournament would be decided here. Sitting on four points, a loss would end their tournament if Portugal won and made up a goal difference of five.

La Roja were the clear favourites going into the game after their commanding victories. The reigning world champions looked organised and composed on the ball in the early minutes of the game, retaining possession for most of the first 10 minutes.

However, the Italians could not be underestimated. While scrappy on the ball, their opportunistic play gave them the early lead, as the combination of good build-up play from Martina Piemonte and poor Spanish defending gave Italy an early chance. Oliviero shot past Adriana Nanclares in the ninth minute, and the Italian bench flooded the pitch in elation.

Spain were quick to respond. A skilful one-two backheel from Alexia Putellas allowed del Castillo to equalise in the 13th minute of the game. Quickly finding their footing again, Spain dominated the remainder of the second half with possession. While playing a high defensive line, Le Azzurre found opportunities on the break but failed to connect in front of the goal before half-time.

Following the game’s break, in a move that echoed Italy’s early goal, Guijarro found the ball from the edge of the box, and the Italian defence watched on as she shot clean into the bottom right corner to give her side the lead. Spain, now in front, found their rhythm in possession, with the second half characterised by a string of Spanish chances. Laura Giuliani was consistently tested with strikes from Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí & Clàudia Pina, but remained resilient.

The commanding Spanish side ultimately made it past Giuliani in the 91st minute with four minutes of injury time added, as González drove forwards to the goal, assisted again by Putellas. Giuliani made contact with the ball, but it came a fraction late as the ball rolled in, wrapping up the game.

Spain’s dominant performance against a reactive Italian side cemented their status as favourites for the tournament. The team rightfully topped the group, commanding the game with skillful possession and creating chances until the final minute. However, it would be wrong to write off the Italians as a threat in the knock-out stages. Specifically, their skill on the break kept pressure on the Spanish defence until the end, but Montse Tomé’s side will certainly be the test of any team this tournament.

Following Belgium’s victory over Portugal (2-1) in the other fixture for Group B, Italy have secured a runner-up spot in the group and a subsequent place knock-out stages. Italy will play Norway in the first of the four quarter-final fixtures next Wednesday (8pm BST) in Geneva, while Spain will return to Bern play hosts Switzerland on Friday 18th (8pm BST).

The lineups

ITA: Giuliani; Oliviero, Lenzini, Salvai, Linari, Boattin; Cantore, Giugliano, Caruso, Bonansea; Piemonte

ESP: Nanclares; Fernández, Paredes, Méndez, Ouhabi; Bonmatí, Guijarro, Putellas, del Castillo, Paralluelo, Caldentey