2025 Women's Euros Group B Preview: World Champions Spain Set For Tough Tests

Forbes

6 hours ago

Having lifted football's biggest trophy two years ago, Spain will now set their eyes on the European ... More crown. (Photo by)
World champions Spain's quest for their first Euros title begins in Group B, where they are joined by Portugal, Belgium and Italy. All of those teams will be aiming to make it to the knockouts and could cause some problems for the favorites in the process.
🇪🇸 Spain
Current FIFA Ranking: #2
Euro History: 4 appearances; semifinalists (1997)
Major International Trophies: FIFA Women's World Cup (2023)
Having finally won their first major trophy in 2023, Spain have now firmly established themselves as powerhouses in world football. They reiterated their strength in Europe by winning the Nations League last year, and will now set their eyes on the main continental crown.
Spain have not looked at their absolute best in the last year. Their campaign at the Olympics last summer was a disappointment as they needed penalties to get the better of Colombia, lost to Brazil in the semifinal and could not get the better of Germany in the bronze medal match. Since then, Spain have gone on to top their Nations League group to continue that title defense, but they are on a run of 10 matches without a clean sheet.
While their defensive issues have not adversely impacted too many of their recent results as La Roja have used their attacking firepower to simply out-score opponents, they will need to shore things up at the back if they are to get the better of Europe's very best teams.
Given the star-studded nature of Spain's squad, they will have match-winners all over their lineup. However, a vital and relatively underrated figure might be Patri Guijarro, whose work at the base of midfield will be critical in thwarting opposition counterattacks and helping protect the defense. She was one of 'Las 15', the group of players who voiced their opposition to then-head coach Jorge Vilda's methods and tactics in 2022 and also did not participate in the World Cup, so she will seek her first major international honor at this tournament.
Quite simply, Spain's status as world champions means that they have to aim for the European crown, and anything but a very strong fight will be considered another disappointment.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Current FIFA Ranking: #22
Euro History: 2 appearances; best result: group stage (2017 and 2022);
Major International Trophies: N/A
Spain's Iberian neighbors will not be too pleased about coming across the world champions again since they suffered a 7-1 thrashing in their recent Nations League meeting. On the whole, though, Portugal are enjoying a relatively successful period having made it to their third consecutive Euros having never qualified for the tournament previously.
Francisco Neto's side got off to a decent start in the Nations League on the back of an unbeaten Euro qualifying campaign, but their form was entirely derailed by four consecutive losses in their last four games, which also condemned them to relegation from League A. However, they have shown themselves capable of causing problems against tougher opponents in one-off games and at the last World Cup, so they should not be simply written off.
Portugal very nearly stunned the USWNT at the last World Cup. (Photo by Robin Alam/USSF/Getty ... More Images)
Kika Nazareth was one of the breakout stars for Portugal at the World Cup and earned a big move to Barcelona a year later, but she will miss the Euros with an ankle injury. So, veteran forward Jéssica Silva will have to bear the brunt of the attacking burden by herself. She is herself returning from a period on the sidelines after suffering a damaged retina early on this year, but she will have to quickly get up to full speed if her side are to have a chance of reaching the knockouts.
While Portugal might have hoped to continue their steady growth by reaching the knockouts of a major tournament for the first time at these Euros, their chances do not look great. They are the lowest-ranked nation in the group, and with some key absences on top of that, they might not have enough to get the better of Italy and Belgium.
🇧🇪 Belgium
Current FIFA Ranking: #20
Euro History: 2 appearances; best result: quarterfinalists (2022)
Major International Trophies: N/A
Belgium impressed at the last Euros by reaching the quarterfinals in just their second appearance at a major tournament. Repeating that will be no mean feat, but that is surely what they will aim for.
Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir nearly pulled off one of Belgium's best results in recent memory in her first match in charge, as her side led for the majority of their 2025 Nations League opener against Spain before succumbing to a late turnaround. They went on to record a 3-2 win over England a couple of matches later, so they certainly are capable of pulling off a big upset on their day.
Belgium stunned England in the Nations League earlier this year. (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
While Gunnarsdóttir will set her side up to be as tough to break down as possible, she will rely on the quality of experienced striker Tessa Wullaert to deal damage up front. The 32-year-old striker has a mightily impressive tally of 92 goals in 144 appearances for her nation, so she certainly knows how to find the back of the net.
Having defeated Portugal in the recent Nations League campaign and finished ahead of Italy at the Euros, the Red Flames should aim to compete for a knockout spot once again. If they get there, they might just spring another big surprise.
🇮🇹 Italy
Current FIFA Ranking: #13
Euro History: 12 previous appearances; runners-up (1993 and 1997)
Major International Trophies: N/A
Having reached at least the semifinals in each of the first five editions of the Women's Euros, Italy are now far from their heyday as they have never made it past the last eight since the turn of the century.
Italy's results over the last year or so look quite good. They topped their Euro qualifying group ahead of the Netherlands and Norway and were in the hunt for top spot in their Nations League group until the final matchday earlier this year.
Playing with a typical Italian back three under Andrea Soncin, the Azzurre are flexible enough to impose themselves in games against weaker opposition or absorb more pressure against the world's best teams. So, they seem well set to give a good account of themselves at a major tournament.
Italy are almost spoilt for choice in the forward department as they have a host of versatile and handy options to pick from for their front two, but their effectiveness will hinge on the supply they get. In that respect, midfielder Manuela Giugliano will be one to watch. She tends to play in a deeper role for her national team than club side Roma, but her forward passing and creativity can still shine through.
Manuela Giugliano's passing will be key to Italy's attacking play. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty ... More Images)
Italy should aim to progress to the knockouts by virtue of being the second-highest-ranked team in this group, if nothing else. They might not have enough to go further in the knockouts, but a return to the quarterfinals would still be a welcome result after missing out in the last two editions of the Euros.