Latest news with #AitanaBonmati
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Lionesses praise Spanish trio before Euro 2025 final
England 's Ella Toone believes the Euro 2025 final against Spain will be won or lost in the midfield. Spain's formidable midfield includes two Ballon d'Or winners, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, along with Patri Guijarro. Toone, Keira Walsh, and Georgia Stanway are expected to form England's midfield, having faced Spain in the World Cup final. Toone described the Spanish trio as 'very talented' and remarked 'they are tough to play against'. Walsh stated that England will not focus on nullifying just one Spanish player, acknowledging the collective threat of their midfield trio.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
England vs Spain prediction: World champions to land Euro 2025 title
England vs Spain betting tips Spain to win, both teams to score - 13/5 William Hill Aitana Bonmati to score or assist - 21/20 Bet365 England take on Spain in the final of the Women's European Championship in Basel on Sunday, as these two giants meet again in what is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final. England competed another dramatic knockout-round turnaround to earn their place in the final, coming back from 1-1 with a 96th-minute equaliser from Michelle Agyemang before Chloe Kelly grabbed a win as she tucked in the rebound from her own penalty. Despite their own world class talents, Spain didn't have it all their own way in the last four either, narrowly overcoming a stubborn Germany with an extra-time winner from Aitana Bonmati. But it is the world champions who will enter the showpiece event of Euro 2025 as favourites, as happened in Australia two years ago when La Roja were the narrow 1-0 victors thanks to a goal from Olga Carmona. England haven't really impressed with their recent performances – barring their evidently strong mentality – and a similar start to the games with Sweden and Italy will surely see them punished beyond the possibility of a comeback, so the Lionesses will have to improve and improve quickly. And it seems football betting sites agree, with various sites offering odds of 2/1 for England to lift the trophy compared to 4/11 for Spain to win. England vs Spain betting preview: La Roja to add European honours to World Cup triumph England will face undoubtedly their toughest test of the tournament so far when they face La Roja, with Sarina Wiegman's side so far having flattered to deceive with their comebacks. Despite a remarkable will to win, it is clear that performances have been subpar in the knockout rounds so far against two teams they were expected to beat. Their slow starts were punished on both occasions but although the Lionesses found a way back in the last two matches, Spain will not afford them the attacking chances and domination of possession that Sweden and Italy did. Spain did not even concede a single goal in their wins over Switzerland and Germany, and while their group stage results suggest they can be defensively vulnerable at times, Wiegman may need to make some big chances if the Lionesses are to hurt the world champions. These changes could well come, for example if Wiegman decides to start Agyemang, but whatever happens it feels like England will struggle to deal with Spain's overall quality – an opinion reflected in the early Women's Euros odds, with the Lionesses offered at 10/3 to win the game in normal time. Nevertheless, a final is a final and they often do not pan out in the same way that the games before suggested they might. England never managed to get on the scoresheet in the World Cup final but we're backing them to do so here, even if we think the Lionesses will fall short once again in the end. England vs Spain prediction 1: Spain to win, both teams to score - 13/5 William Hill England vs Spain best bets: Bonmati to make decisive impact Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati has cemented her status as the world's best player in recent years through her performances at club and international level, and while this tournament started off relatively quietly by her lofty standards, the knockout rounds have proven that the best players step up on the biggest occasions. Bonmati had not registered a goal or assist in the group stages – having started on the bench in the opening two games – but it was her brilliant backheel assist that unlocked the Switzerland defence in the quarter-finals – setting the stage for the eventual 2-0 win – before she scored her only goal so far with a superb winner against Germany in the semi-finals. Matches against better teams seem to see Bonmati involved more higher up the pitch, and it's almost as if the 27-year-old's performances get better the further that Spain advance, meaning it could be bad news for the Lionesses on Sunday. We're backing the Spanish midfielder to continue her recent influence in Sunday's final, with betting sites offering odds of 21/20 for Bonmati to score or assist. England vs Spain prediction 2: Aitana Bonmati to score or assist - 21/20 Bet365 Responsible gambling Sports betting can be enjoyable, but it's important to stay in control and gamble responsibly. Whether you are using the best online casino, slot sites, poker sites, or online bookmakers, responsible gambling should always be a priority. All licensed gambling sites in the UK are required to provide tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and self-assessment questionnaires. These are designed to help you manage your activity and protect your well-being. Many operators, including online bookmakers and new casino sites, will offer free bets or a casino bonus. While these can be tempting, it is vital to read the terms and conditions of any offer before taking part. If you are concerned about your gambling behaviour, support is available from: NHS Help GambleAware Gamblers Anonymous We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England's Ella Toone reveals area where Euro 2025 final could be won or lost
Ella Toone believes England 's Euro 2025 final could be won and lost in midfield, ahead of what promises to be a pivotal contest against Spain's world-class trio of Barcelona stars. Spain's midfield features two two-time Ballon d'Or winners in Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, with Patri Guijarro's performances at the Euros also earning high praise. Toone is likely to start next to Keira Walsh, who played alongside Bonmati, Putellas and Guijarro during her time at Barcelona, and Georgia Stanway - who all began England's World Cup final defeat to Spain two years ago. Ahead of what could be a decisive series of individual battles, Toone said: 'I think in football sometimes games are won and lost in the midfield. We know that we have to be on our game. 'We have so much respect for all three of them players, world class players who are very talented and they are tough to play against, but we know what we're capable of. 'Whoever plays in the midfield, we know we'll do a job and an important job as well, and yeah, no matter what, we'll, we'll go into that game, we'll give 100 per cent and we'll fight like we always do. Hopefully we can come out on top.' Speaking on Thursday, Walsh said England could not focus on stopping Ballon d'Or holder Bonmati alone and that it would be a collective effort against Spain's trio. 'Obviously she's an incredible player,' Walsh said. 'But I think if you try and nullify her, I think Patri's been one of the best players at this tournament. So you can focus on Aitana and then you've got Patri, and then you've got Alexia and Mariona [Caldentey]. 'So I think for us we're not focusing on one player. We know what we can bring defensively and so we're just focusing on what we can do and then obviously we're going to have some chances as well that we need to take.' Toone scored England's opening goal in the Euro 2022 final victory over Germany, and has an excellent record of delivering on the big stage - with goals in the FA Cup final, the Finalissima and a World Cup semi-final. 'That's not bad, is it?' Toone replied. 'I just feel like I prepare properly for every game. I've had chances in finals to put the ball in the back of the net and that's what I've done. 'But I try not to think about that or put any pressure on it, I just go out there and I do what I can for the team and give my absolute everything, and if a chance falls to me then hopefully I can put it in the back of the net.'
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Euro 2025: Five Spanish players to watch in final against England
Get ready for a huge final at the women's Euros, as the two best sides in Europe go will be hoping to defend the title which they won at the last European Championship in 2022, but it won't be easy. They face Spain in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final - which Spain who are the top Spanish footballers to look out for? Here are some of their star players hoping to lift the trophy this weekend. Aitana Bonmati Current Ballon d'Or holder Aitana Bonmati is one of Spain's most talked about Barcelona midfielder has won football's top award for the last two fact, her trophy cabinet is looking pretty is also the current holder of the Best Fifa Women's Player, which is presented to the footballer considered to have performed the best over the previous calendar the Women's World Cup in 2023, she was awarded the Fifa Golden Ball Award, given to the tournament's best wonder she's the highest-paid female footballer in the world at the moment, earning around £830,000 a year. Salma Paralluelo Salma Paralluelo joined Spanish giants Barcelona in 2022, and the 21-year-old has already been making a big impression at the club - scoring 38 goals in 53 up she was a talented track and field athlete, and she's managed to convert those skills into becoming a versatile striker, known for making great runs down the has already enjoyed huge success with Spain, both with the youth and senior is the first player in history, male or female, to have won all three Fifa World Cups - having won the Women's World Cup in 2023 as well as the 2022 U20 World Cup AND the U17 World Cup in 2018. In fact, at the most recent Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, Paralluelo was awarded the Best Young Player of the tournament. Alexia Putellas Alexia Putellas is one of Spain's most famous Bonmati, Putellas has also won the women's Ballon d'Or on two occasions - in 2021 and 2022. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest female footballers of all Barcelona captain is one of the most honoured players in the women's game - having won a whole heap of major club and individual is back in the squad after missing the last European Championships due to been making her presence known, so far she's been involved in the most goals and created the most chances of any player at Euro 2025. Olga Carmona You might recognise the name Olga the 2023 Women's World Cup final against the Lionesses, she won the match for Spain after slotting the only goal of the game past England goalkeeper Mary 25-year-old is known for being one of Spain's most versatile players - a left back who is also able to score and provide assists. Earlier this year, she was named in the FIFPRO World 11 team of the year, which represents the best footballers in the current game - as voted for by fellow pro players. Carmona has also got new challenges waiting for her after the recently signed for French club Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year contract from Real Madrid, where she was captain. Clàudia Pina Pina is widely seen as one of the biggest new talents in the senior Spain 23-year-old actually began her career playing futsal - a type of five-a-side football that is often played indoors on a much smaller pitch or plays for Barcelona, and made her first official appearance for the senior squad in 2018 at the age of just established herself as a creative attacker and a gifted goal scorer, known for her long-range Lionesses will need to keep an extra close eye out for the scored both goals against England in Spain's 2-1 victory at the last meeting between the two teams, in the women's Nations League in June.
CNA
6 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Creative talents ready to raise the stakes in Women's Euro final
OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland :With Lauren James of England and Aitana Bonmati of Spain set to clash in Sunday's Women's Euro final, the match will showcase two of the modern game's premier creative dribblers vying for one of football's biggest prizes. Both sides boast a host of players who are more than comfortable with the ball at their feet and capable of bringing the crowd to theirs every time they take on an opponent, as well as defenders ready to stop them. "You have to try to read the situation - what's the right thing to do? Can you go at two (players) or should you pass the ball? We just have to analyse where the space is and what's possible," Caroline Graham-Hansen, a teammate of Bonmati's at Barcelona, told Reuters. "Just believe in yourself. Like, if you have two (players marking you), somebody else has more space, so just try to exploit that advantage or disadvantage that they try to give you," she added. Graham-Hansen is one of many dribblers who have lit up the Women's Euros with her skills which she discovered and sharpened while playing with friends as a child. "I just enjoyed dribbling. Going out, playing with the ball made me happy, it was something fun to do every time. I guess the playfulness of just enjoying the ball alone is part of my game today too," Graham-Hansen explained. Both James and Bonmati love to run at defenders, using changes of pace and direction to wrong-foot opponents and open up space for themselves. But though the world's top dribblers are often given license to attack in unorthodox ways, they still have to fit into tactical systems. With so many teams trying to win the ball and then play in transition, the dribblers have to weigh up when to back themselves and when to play it safe. "It's about trying to make the other team make mistakes, and the most difficult thing is obviously to dribble when there's a high risk of losing the ball, but you have to try. If you can beat your defender, it's always a big advantage," Graham-Hansen said. Sunday's final will be the most high-pressure game of the tournament, but Graham-Hansen said that dribbling specialists are well-used to performing in such circumstances.
