Tournament favorites Spain also won their third group stage match at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland. The world champions defeated Italy 3-1 (1-1) on Friday. They will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals next week. Italy was promoted despite the defeat because Portugal lost 2-1 (0-1) to Belgium in the parallel Group B match and dropped to fourth place. Italy will face Norway, the winner of Group A, in the quarterfinals.
The Italians started with purpose in Bern. Shortly after a header against the crossbar, Elisabetta Oliviero scored the 1-0 in the 10th minute, aided by Spain's poor defensive performance. However, the Iberians' response took just four minutes to arrive. Athenea del Castillo scored the equalizer after a perfect backheel assist from Alexia Putellas. From then on, the favorites took control of the match, but there were no more important chances with heavy possession until halftime.
The Italians, on the other hand, were a little more dangerous on the counterattack, but too harmless in the final minutes. Shortly after the restart, Patri Guijarro (49) made it 2-1 for Spain with a direct shot from around 18 meters. After that, the world champions pressed vehemently, but initially without success, for the third goal. Italy tried to equalize with quick counterattacks.
It wasn't until stoppage time that Spain made it 3-1 through Esther Gonzales. Belgium scored the winning goal in the 96th minute. In Sion, Belgium's record goalscorer, Tessa Wullaert, gave her team, who were already out of contention for promotion, the lead after just three minutes. Portugal, meanwhile, showed little penetration in the first half, and big chances were few and far between.
The Belgians' supposed 0-2 lead in the 64th minute after several missed opportunities by Portugal was disqualified following a VAR decision. Shortly before the end, Telma Encarnação (87) made it 1-1. Belgium's first goal of the match in injury time was disallowed after a VAR review, but Janice Cayman scored the winning goal in the minute
