Spain also won his third game at the women’s European Championship. But also for the inferior to the 1: 3 (1: 1) Italy there was reason to cheer. Both teams reached the quarter -finals. Spain as the first group with three wins from three games. Italy in second place with a win, a draw and a defeat.
“Italy, it’s a night to write history”the “Corriere Dello Sport” had titled flowery. Everything was in the hands of a woman, wrote the daily sports newspaper: Laura Giuliani. The goalkeeper with 16 years of professional experience. By the way, five years of it in Germany’s Bundesliga, where it is better not to remind her of her premiere: it was in November 2012 when she conceded a 0: 10 defeat against VfL Wolfsburg in the goal of the promoted FSV Gütersloh.
Six changes to Spain
Now the now 32-year-old from AC Milan was able to prove himself at a completely different level in her 100th international. Against the apparently overpowering Spaniards. In view of the already safe quarter-final place, Bernese Wankdorf-Stadion, well-filled with almost 30,000 spectators, was changed: six new players were allowed to start in the starting eleven.
The change of the Spanish joy of play obviously did not detract. It was less than two minutes played when Italy’s defense against Aitana Bonmati had to defuse Italy’s defensiveers.
In the focus: Laura Giuliani
Spain caught cold
But – and now it was astonishing – Italy played courageously forward. And caught Spain on the wrong foot. At first it was defense chief Elena Linari who only hit the crossbar with a wonderful header after a corner ball (8th). In the next campaign it rang in the Spanish box: Elisabetta Oliviero was in the right place after a cross and pushed the ball from ten meters to 1-0 for Italy (10th).
Spain is vulnerable – so the early knowledge. But you can do it at the front. The Spaniards shot a dream goal: the Athensea, which was newly slipped into the starting eleven, dribbled towards the 16, played a wonderful double pass with Alexia Putellas and thundered the ball from 16 meters to 1: 1 into the net (13th). Keeperin Giuliani, who had not had a ball on the goal until then, had no chance.
Italy counters, Patri meets from a distance
Spain took control – almost 80 percent possession of the ball was in the end of the 1st half. But the opponents remained more dangerous with their counterattacks. In the 41st minute Irene Paredes clarified in the greatest need, the Var had to check whether that had happened by hand. It wasn’t, but a minute later the blonde central defender was missing against Martina Piemonte, who would have hit a hair with a head.
1: 1 at halftime – Italy struggled bravely
Spain’s appearance remained puzzling. But the world champions have enormous individual class. This was allowed to show midfielder Patri in the 48th minute. A defense that was too short took from 18 meters directly – the ball struggled to the right inner post and from there to 2-1 on the net. Goalkeeper Giuliani? It could only watch. She couldn’t get to the ball.
Giuliani with problems, Spain dominates
And then the game was almost over for the Italian keeper. Again and again she had to take stretching exercises, apparently it was adductor problems that hindered her. Spain’s women, on the other hand, now raised their almost familiar combination game against gradually tired opponents.
The chances increased. Putellas, Bonmati, Mariona – they all came to conclusions – but Giuliani stayed on the post despite physical malaise. Until the stoppage time. The substitute Esther scored 3-1 from a short distance. But in the end it was enough for both teams to move into the KO round.
The quarterfinals of both teams have already been scheduled. Spain will play against Switzerland on Friday (July 187, 2025) (9 p.m.). Italy is already two days before: on Wednesday it goes against Norway. Also at 9 p.m.