Euro 2025: Spain On Track? Watch Out For France? What Stood Out and What's Next
With the group stage wrapped up, all eyes will be on the quarterfinal matches – which begin on Thursday and go through the weekend.Before looking ahead, let's recap what stood out from the group stage. One title contender, the Netherlands, was eliminated after lopsided losses to both England and France. There was some heartbreak with Germany captain Giulia Gwinn suffering an early knee injury that will keep her out for the rest of the tournament. And some history, with a record 600,000 tickets already sold despite the heat wave that's taken over Switzerland.
There's more excitement to come, but here's what stood out from the group stage and what we're looking forward to in the next round:
Can Anyone Stop Spain From Silverware?
The biggest news entering the Euros was that Spain star and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was hospitalized with meningitis less than a week before the tournament began. She recovered quickly, and was able to come on as a substitute in La Roja's first two matches before starting and playing a full 90 minutes in the team's third group stage match against Italy.
Whether Bonmatí would have needed more recovery time or not, it's clear that Spain is a machine to be reckoned with and still looks like the favorite to win it all. Alexia Putellas has been dominant with three goals so far, as has Esther Gonzalez, the NWSL's leading scorer who also leads all Euros scorers with four goals. As a whole, the team has been particularly effective in possession and in combination play. And once Bonmatí regains her full strength and starts scoring goals of her own, La Roja will be even more potent.
A 2023 World Cup final rematch with England is certainly in the cards, though Spain have to get past Switzerland in the quarterfinal and then either France or Germany in the semi before thinking about that potential headline-grabbing matchup.
New-look France Emerges From 'Groupe de la Mort'
France finished atop a difficult Group D after a decisive 5-2 win over the Netherlands on Sunday. Les Bleues won all three of their games – against England, Wales and the Netherlands – and will play Germany in the quarterfinal on Saturday.
There were questions surrounding this squad before the tournament began when manager Laurent Bonadei shocked the footballing world when he left captain Wendie Renard, Eugenie Le Sommer and Kenza Dali off the team. Together, the trio of well-known veterans have 444 caps and are synonymous with France's national team.
But this is a program that has never won a major international tournament before, and Bonadei wanted to try something new. While the decision likely still stings, France looks like a team that can challenge for a trophy. Especially given Germany hasn't looked particularly dangerous and is coming off a 4-1 loss to Sweden.
Swiss Surprise? Hosts Aiming To Make More Noise
Switzerland was nearly ousted from the tournament until substitute Riola Xhemaili scored in stoppage time to draw Finland 1-1 in its final group stage match, which was enough to send the hosts through to the next round. The Swiss only needed a tie to advance, but trailed 1-0 following a 79th-minute penalty by Finland, creating some nervy final moments.
The host's reward? A quarterfinal against Spain on Friday. The reigning world champs have scored 14 goals in three games, 12 of which have been from inside the box. Switzerland, meanwhile, has only found the back of the net four times. An inability to find the back of the net won't cut it against Spain's clinical attack.
So how will veteran coach Pia Sundhage prepare for Spain? If it's anything like the last match, she'll utilize the youth on her roster which consists of 19-year-old Leila Wandeler (Lyon) and 18-year-olds Sydney Schertenleib (Barcelona) and Iman Beney (Manchester City). Schertenleib at least knows her opponent well, playing alongside the majority of them at club level.
Regardless of what the end result will be, one thing is for sure: the environment for this matchup will be epic given how fans have shown up en masse all tournament.
What To Expect In Quarterfinals
The most anticipated quarterfinal match has to be England vs. Sweden. Both nations are playing at a high level right now – the Swedes just shocked Germany 4-1 in their final group stage match while the Lionesses are doing everything possible to win back-to-back Euros.
These teams met in the semifinals at the 2022 Euros and England won 4-0. But this should be a closer game, as Sweden has been a much improved team since then. Sweden poses a physical, imposing threat and thrives on set pieces, while England has a deeper squad and are battle-tested coming out of a more challenging group.
Elsewhere, Germany and France offer a showdown between two European powers, while Switzerland will try to stay alive against a heavily-favored and more proficient Spain. Norway vs. Italy is probably the least thrilling on paper, but it's a chance to watch stars Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen book a spot in the semifinals.
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rashford and Hojlund tracked by Serie A giants
Top Italian sides are monitoring developments at Manchester United: Juventus reportedly assessing the possibility of signing while AC Milan evaluate a potential move for . Uncertainty remains around the future of Juve striker Dusan Vlahovic and while the club is focused on bringing back French international Randal Kolo Muani, Rashford has emerged as a possible target for 'The Old Lady'. Barcelona are also interested in the 27-year-old England international, although no formal bid has been submitted yet. Rashford has made no secret of his desire to join Barcelona, but - despite being granted extended leave - he has now returned to United's training ground at Carrington and is working away from the main group. Matheus Cunha has inherited the No 10 jersey from Rashford, who expressed a desire for a "new challenge" before making a loan switch to Aston Villa for the latter part of last season. It's understood that the homegrown talent is not part of boss Ruben Amorim's long-term vision. Will Højlund stay or will he go? Elsewhere in Serie A, AC Milan are said to be exploring a summer move for Hojlund, according to Sky in Italy. The Rossoneri are reviewing the financial framework required to land the 22-year-old Denmark forward to determine whether a deal could be viable. Hojlund, who joined United from Atalanta for £72 million in 2023, has indicated that his preference is to stay and fight for his place at Old United could choose to cash in if Milan firm up their interest. He is under contract until 2028, with an additional year's option included in the agreement.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Three key questions before Spain v Switzerland in the EURO 3️⃣
Spain faces Switzerland in Bern this Friday with the illusion of making a historic leap in the 2025 Women's Roja arrives as the favorite after an impeccable group stage and a recent flourishing record, while Switzerland, the tournament's host, seeks to take advantage of the motivation of playing at home to pull off the surprise. Before the match, there are three key questions that can mark the fate of the encounter: Will Spain be able to maintain its offensive dominance without conceding goals? 📸 Eddie Keogh - 2025 Getty Images Spain has shone in attack, but its defensive lapses can be costly. Maintaining balance will be key to advancing, and Spain has shown in this EURO that it is struggling to keep its goal intact. How will the pressure from the Swiss crowd influence the game? 📸 Daniela Porcelli - 2025 Getty Images Playing at home benefits Switzerland, and Sundhage is an expert in uncomfortable setups. Spain will have to manage the anxiety and pressure from the local fans who will support their team like never before. A unique opportunity for Spain The match represents a unique opportunity for Spain to break its bad streak in the quarterfinals and reach the semifinals, a stage it has not achieved since 1997. 📸 Eddie Keogh - 2025 Getty Images The challenge is huge, but the aspirations and talent are there to make history. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Goldbridge: Seven weeks wasted as Man Utd finally pay full asking price
Mbuemo Deal Edges Closer as Man Utd Finally Act – Thanks to Newcastle Man Utd's Mbuemo pursuit shows familiar failings On the latest episode of The United Stand Podcast, Mark Goldbridge offered an excoriating breakdown of Manchester United's pursuit of Brentford winger Bryan Mbuemo. After seven weeks of drawn-out negotiations, United have now submitted a third bid worth £65 million plus add-ons. The saga, as Goldbridge sees it, is emblematic of the club's broader structural problems. 'We've spent seven weeks negotiating on a player saying we're not going to overpay,' Goldbridge said. 'And seven weeks because Newcastle were going to go for Wissa, and we would have missed out on Mbuemo. In seven minutes, we paid £65 million.' Photo: IMAGO The frustration among fans was palpable in the live chat and echoed throughout Goldbridge's analysis. The sense was that United had once again wasted time only to end up paying the asking price anyway, as they had with deals for Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho in previous years. Newcastle's interest forced Man Utd into action Goldbridge credited Newcastle's sudden move for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa (referred to as 'Whizzer') as the primary catalyst behind United's urgency. 'If Newcastle hadn't gone for Whizzer, we'd still be waiting weeks,' he said. 'Big shout out to Newcastle because that move has really made us sh*t ourselves.' Photo IMAGO That move, he argued, forced United's hand. 'We've had to make a quick decision,' he said. 'There's probably gone a call into Joel Glazer and Jim Radcliffe and they basically said, 'Brentford are not going to sell him if Whizzer goes to Newcastle,' so we either pay what they want or we don't get Mbuemo.' Goldbridge was candid about his bafflement. 'I'm absolutely baffled how you can offer £55 million a month ago and then offer £65 million plus add-ons,' he admitted. 'It's basically Harry Maguire all over again.' Fans split on value and negotiation strategy Though Goldbridge expressed satisfaction with the signing itself, he criticised the method. 'If we paid £65 million in the first week of June, then you'd sort of go, 'Well, it's a quick, efficient deal,'' he said. 'But they've spent seven weeks telling us basically that they won't pay it, they're going to negotiate it down, and then they paid it anyway.' Photo: IMAGO Responding to fans defending the delay as a cost-saving tactic on wages, Goldbridge was scathing. 'You're actually sitting there thinking it's a positive that we've saved £200 grand a week for seven weeks when he could have been in pre-season with us for a week and a half,' he said. 'Look at what Liverpool do. Look what Arsenal do.' Club faces mounting pressure despite deal nearing While the Mbuemo deal is not yet officially completed, Goldbridge said it's 'expected to be accepted' and 'matches Brentford's demands.' However, he cautioned, 'It's not 'here we go' yet.' The potential collapse of the transfer still looms, however unlikely. His wider criticism centred on Man Utd's recruitment inefficiencies. 'We've spent £127 million on Mbuemo and Cunha,' he said. 'And we haven't actually solved one of our two big priorities. No striker and goalkeeper.' Photo: IMAGO Despite this, Goldbridge saw Mbuemo as 'a player that really does make us better,' adding, 'He's experienced, he's not a learner driver.' In closing, Goldbridge praised the Brentford winger again, while simultaneously urging change within the club's hierarchy. 'I would hope that Manchester United learn from that. In football, you have to make quick decisions. You can't make slow decisions.'
