Italy Advances to Quarterfinals Despite Loss to Spain in Women's European Championship

In a dramatic matchup at the Women's European Championship, Italy faced Spain in their third match, ultimately losing 3-1 but managing to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Finishing second in their group behind Spain, Italy displayed commendable progress, having previously defeated Belgium and drawn against Portugal to earn 4 points necessary for qualification. This advancement marks a significant improvement for Italy, particularly after a disappointing performance in the 2019 World Cup. The match against Spain, the reigning world champions and favorites for the title, was played in front of nearly 30,000 enthusiastic fans in Bern. Italy started on an aggressive note, with Elena Linari's header hitting the crossbar early in the ninth minute. The team's resilience paid off when Lazio defender Elisabetta Oliviero netted the opening goal, capitalizing on a rebound from the Spanish defense. However, Italy's lead was short-lived as Spain equalized just five minutes later, with Athenea del Castillo finding the net following a brilliant backheel assist from Alexia Putellas. This equalizer instigated a shift in momentum; Spain began to dominate possession and control the pace of the game. Italy's organization in defense proved effective, limiting Spain's offensive play, although the Italian team also missed a golden opportunity to take a 2-1 lead before halftime. In the fourth minute of the second half, Spain's Patricia Guijarro found the back of the net with a striking shot from outside the box that rattled off the post and into the goal, raising the score to 2-1. Italy's chances dwindled thereafter, with only a close attempt from Sofia Cantore coming close to equaling the score; meanwhile, Spain relentlessly sought to extend their lead. They succeeded in doing so late in the game, with Esther González adding a third for Spain. Despite the defeat, Italy's qualification for the knockout stage is a promising indicator of their development in women's football. The last time Italy advanced past the group stage in the European Championship was in 2013. Next up for Italy is a challenging quarterfinal match against Norway, who triumphed in all three of their group matches. The upcoming game is set for July 16 at 21:00, and Italy hopes to carry the momentum from their recent performance into their next encounter. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2