It’s Crunch Time At The Women’s Euro 2025 – Who Can Still Win It?

Sixteen teams started the tournament, now just four remain. Euro 2025 has been an exciting tournament so far with fantastic goals, controversy, plenty of penalties (many of them missed), outstanding goalkeeping and much more besides.

Now we reach the crunch time – the semi-finals where four of Europe’s strongest teams will battle it out to become the next Champions of Europe. 

Before we preview the semi-finals, let’s round up how each of the four quarter-finals panned out.

Quarter Finals Round Up

• Italy 2-1 Norway
• Sweden 2-2 England (England win 3-2 on penalties)
• Spain 2-0 Switzerland
• France 1-1 Germany (Germany win 6-5 on penalties)

Italy was the first team to make it into the semi-finals. In an even contest, it was a last-minute header from Christiani Girelli that saw the Italians through to the semis.

England’s game with Sweden was packed with drama and saw the Swedes take a first-half 2-0 lead. Asllani and Blackstenius put the Swedes 2-0 ahead. England rallied in the second half, but it took two late goals,  within 109 seconds, the first from Lucy Bronze and the second from Michelle Agyemang, to pull England level. Goalless extra time followed before a dramatic penalty shoot-out where Sweden spurned three chances to win before England prevailed.

Spain found the hosts, Switzerland, tough to break down, but in the end, second-half goals from Athenea and Pina saw the World Cup Winners through, despite the fact the Spanish missed two penalties in the game. 

Finally, Germany produced a fantastic  defensive display against France to win their clash on penalties, despite being down to ten players early in the game. France netted the resulting penalty through Geyoro, but Germany levelled from a corner a short time later, Nusken scoring. The German goalscorer had a chance to win the game in the second half but saw her weak penalty saved. Neither side could grab a winner in remaining time or extra time but in the penalty shoot-out Katrin-Ann Berger was the hero, saving the crucial penalty kick to take Germany through.

Semi Finals

Italy v England (22nd July, 8 pm, Geneva)

Italy will face England in the first semi-final in Geneva and it should be a closely fought contest. Italy have been solid, rather than spectacular, in their progress through this tournament. In contrast England started poorly against France, were excellent against the Netherlands and Wales, but then flubbed against Sweden, especially in a dismal first 45 minutes. 

In nine games between the teams, England have won six, Italy just two with one drawn game. The last match between the two was played in February 2024, with England running out 5-1 winners. 

This game will likely be closer, but England should have that extra quality required to progress, if they do not start as poorly as they did against France or Sweden.

Tip – England to win 2-1. 

Spain v Germany (23rd July, 8 pm, Zurich)

Spain will be at full strength for the second semi-final in Zurich and will start as clear favourites against a Germany team that will be without suspended duo Sjoeke Nusken and Kathrin Hendrich, as well as injured skipper Giulia Gwinn. 

The Spanish have made swift progress through the competition and have a 100% record, despite finding the hosts Switzerland difficult to break down in the quarterfinals. Germany’s exceptional 10-player effort against France shows their toughness and strong mentality, but they will sorely miss those three players in this semi-final. 

However, in seven previous games between the two, Spain have never beaten Germany, losing four and drawing three and their last game at the Euros finished in a 2-0 win for Germany back in 2022.

Tip – Spain to win 3-1.

The Final will be played on Sunday, 27th July, kick-off 6 pm at St Jakobs Park, in Basel.