Ouahabi helps Spain seal top spot in Group B at Euro 2025
In what proved one of the most absorbing and eventful games of the Switzerland showpiece to date, Italy were the first to threaten, mounting a series of early raids before captain Elena Linari saw a powerful eighth minute header cannon back off the Spanish crossbar.
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But two minutes later the Italians did make the breakthrough.
Spain failed to clear a low cross into the area and Italian winger Elisabetta Oliviero was first to react, slamming a low left-footed shot past Adriana Nanclares.
In what was an end-to-end opening spell, the world champions then showed their class and composure by responding in thrilling style to draw level on 13 minutes.
Athenea del Castillo executed a superb run through a sea of Italian defenders before playing a one-two with Alexia Putellas who then played an instant deft backheel to set up del Castillo.
The Real Madrid star made the most of the opening, firing home first time from the edge of the box in sumptuous style for one of the standout goals of the tournament to date.
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In a high quality and compelling affair, Spain dominated possession and territory but found Italy the toughest of opponents.
And the Spanish were then fortunate to escape conceding a penalty three minutes from half-time.
A low cross from Sofia Castore was misjudged by Irene Paredes who could only clear the ball with her hand when attempting to head clear in the centre of the box only for a VAR check to rule Italy were fractionally offside in the build-up.
However, the world champions provided another reminder of their lethal quality four minutes after the restart when they took the lead through Patricia Guijarro after a mazy run from Athenea del Castillo had caused panic in the Italian ranks.
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Italy kept pushing as they sought a leveller, but Spain sealed the deal - and with it top spot - two minutes into stoppage time.
Substitute Esther Gonzalez converted from close range shortly after coming on as she latched onto another sumptuous Putellas assist to take her tally at Euro 2025 to four goals.
It took Spain's number of goals at the tournament to 14, the joint highest tally by a side in the group stages along with England at Euro 2022.
Spain's reward for finishing top is a quarter-final assignment with Switzerland in Berne, runners-up Italy will play Norway in Geneva.
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