Excitement is building in Geneva, where Italy Women will take on Portugal at 21:00 CEST tomorrow in a match that could secure their place in the EURO 2025 quarter-finals with a game to spare. In recent hours – as was already the case in the past few days at the headquarters in Weggis and during the win against Belgium in Sion – Andrea Soncin’s squad have been overwhelmed by the affection of many compatriots present in Switzerland, which is home to the world’s third-largest Italian community.

In front of the hotel, in the city centre streets and outside the Stade de Genève, there is a constant outpouring of love for the players, many of whom today remembered coach Fabio Melillo on the first anniversary of his passing. “They wear a shirt that represents not just a team, but an entire country. A shirt that, thanks to them, becomes a symbol of pride, belonging and passion,” said Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, during this morning’s meeting with the Azzurre. Also present was Honourable Toni Ricciardi along with a delegation of Italians from the four Cantons. Both Federal President Gabriele Gravina and General Secretary Marco Brunelli will be in the stands for the Group B match. Over 20,000 spectators are expected, half of whom will be supporters of Italy.

Italy will book a quarter-final spot if they emerge victorious and Belgium fail to beat Spain in the 18:00 CEST kick-off: “We know Portugal well; they are a side that always try to play under pressure and have a very direct style,” said Head Coach Soncin at today’s press conference. “They’ll be looking to respond after Thursday’s defeat, but the group I coach is extremely mature and fully aware of what we’re experiencing and of the fact that achievements must be earned step by step. If we want to reach the very top, we need to make the most of every moment together. We’ll build on our tactical plan and the second half on Thursday, during which we occupied the spaces well and gave very few opportunities away to our opponents. We’re ready to give our all.”

Italy have kept twelve clean sheets in 24 matches under Soncin, while Portugal come into this match on the back of four consecutive games without scoring. “I don’t like looking at statistics,” said Laura Giuliani, seated next to the Head Coach in the press room. “Portugal have some very talented individuals, so I’ll need to do my best to organise the defence and anticipate any dangers. We’ve been on a journey where, in every match, we’ve managed to adapt to our opponents while still maintaining our own playing identity. We’re a compact and versatile team, able to change our approach at any moment. Against Belgium, we overcame an emotional barrier, and now we can’t wait to show all our quality.”

PORTUGAL. Italy and Portugal have not met since the 2020 Algarve Cup (a 2-1 win for Italy thanks to goals from Elena Linari and Cristiana Girelli), and tomorrow’s match will be their first encounter in a major international tournament (European Championship or World Cup). The head-to-head record favours the Azzurre, who have won 14 of the 16 meetings (with two defeats), including victories in each of the last seven clashes. At the Euros, Portugal are coming off back-to-back 5-0 defeats (against Spain last Thursday and against Sweden in 2022), making them the only team to have conceded at least five goals in two consecutive matches in the competition. It is an unfortunate record, particularly considering that Francisco Neto’s side didn’t lose in EURO 2025 qualifying and actually won more matches than any other team (eight wins and two draws).

Among the most talented players in the side currently ranked 22nd in the FIFA Ranking is undoubtedly Francisca Nazareth, known as ‘Kika’. The Barcelona star, who did not feature in the opening match against Spain, is an extremely dangerous opponent: in the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League, among those who featured for at least 180 minutes, the 22-year-old recorded the best average for goal contributions per minutes played (three goals and three assists, averaging one goal involvement every 39 minutes). In attack, the experienced Ana Borges, a 35-year-old forward for Sporting Lisbon, also deserves a mention. Amado, who commands the left flank in Neto’s system, is another player to watch closely.

GROUP B CALENDAR

Matchday 1: Belgium 0-1 ITALY, Spain 5-0 Portugal
Matchday 2 (7 July): Spain vs. Belgium (18:00 CEST, Thun), Portugal vs. ITALY (21:00 CEST, Geneva)
Matchday 3 (11 July): ITALY vs. Spain (21:00 CEST, Bern), Portugal vs. Belgium (21:00 CEST, Sion)

TABLE

Spain and ITALY 3 points, Belgium and Portugal 0