Belgium successfully fought against the playful class of Spain in the second group game of the women’s European Championship. Ultimately, however, the world champions clearly won 6: 2 (2: 1). The Spaniards lead the preliminary round group B with six points, Belgium remains without a point. World football player Aitana Bonmati was used in the second half after surviving meningitis.
Spain’s world champions had started the tournament with a convincing 5-0 over Portugal, while Belgium was narrowly inferior to Italy. “We will have to move mountains to win”announced Belgium’s trainer Elisabet Gunnarsdottir before the game. The high favorites from the Iberian Peninsula again began without star player Aitana Bonmati, who initially remained outside after surviving meningitis disease. With the last blocked defense chief Irene Paredes.
Spain dominates as expected
In the event of slight drizzle in Thun, the Spaniards took over the direction of the game as expected from the start. The young Vicky Lopez – for Bonmati in the starting eleven – tried it in the early quarter of an hour with two shots from a distance, otherwise her team did not really get through the defensively set Belgians. Until the 22nd minute, when Lopez played nicely into the run of Alexia Putellas and who converted from eleven meters to 1-0 with the outside.
Spain’s Vicky Lopez (left) – strong on the ball.
Things seemed to take their expected run. But Belgium, which is physically robust, is something of a fear opponent of the dribble artists from southern Europe. Recently, the Belgians led 2-0 in a National League game against the world champions before Spain won 3-2 in the end.
VanhaeMart uses her body size – 1: 1
This time it was Belgium that struck back. Belgium replied not even two minutes to Spain’s goal: After a nice cross from Tessa Wullaerts, the Belgian Justine Vanhaeimart, Belgian, who was 1.85 meters, did not need to jump at all to put the ball into the net by head (24th).
But Spain can also play the header. Better said: Irene Paredes. The captain ran skilfully in the 40th minute after a corner from Claudia Pina and headed one to 2-1. This was a practiced campaign by FC Barcelona – seven Spaniards from the starting eleven are under contract with the master from Catalonia.
Beat two at halftime
In the second section, Bonmati was finally allowed to go. The world footballer first had to cope with the second Belgian needlestick together with her colleagues. Hannah Eurling had been sent steeply and could no longer be dissuaded from the way – 2: 2 (52nd). A compensation in which the Belgians didn’t enjoy long. In return, Putellas presented Schön for Esther, who immediately hit 3: 2 in the far corner (52nd).
At the latest now, women from southern Europe really enjoyed playing, enjoying their combinations. Mariona was in the right place in the 61st minute when the ball wandered like a pinball ball through the Belgian penalty area – 4: 2.
Spain late overpowering
This was followed by opportunities for the now overpowering Spaniards almost every minute including two posts. Belgium barely came to the ball. And Pina went one better in the 81st minute with a wonderful Schlenzer in the right angle with the 5: 2. Four minutes later, Putellas was also allowed to do again: after a corner kick, she poked the ball 6-2 over the line. Belgium also met again – but with Wullaert’s supposed 3: 6 War it was offside.
In the last group game, the Spaniards will meet Italy on Friday (July 11th, 2025). At the same time, Belgium plays against Portugal.