Italy win in Euro 2025 opener against Belgium

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Arianna Caruso's excellent strike gave Italy victory over Belgium in their opening match in Group B of Euro 2025.

An even first half yielded few clear chances for either side, with Belgium's best falling to Tessa Wullaert but her turn and shot in the area found the side-netting.

But a minute before the break, Caruso collected a defence-splitting pass from Lucia di Guglielmo inside the box and finished calmly into the top corner.

Italy came increasingly close to a second in Sion as captain Cristiana Girelli's cheeky back-heel was well saved by Lisa Lichtfus, before Michela Cambiaghi shot wide when through on goal.

The victory earned Andrea Soncin's side a precious three points in a tricky group also featuring world champions Spain, who face Portugal later on Thursday.

It also ended a run for Italy of three successive losses to Belgium, while gaining a measure of revenge for Euro 2022 when a 1-0 win for the Red Flames earned them a quarter-final spot and eliminated the Italians.

What was the main talking point?

Caruso fires Italy ahead with 'brilliant' strike

Italy have come into Euro 2025 as dark horses to win the title for some, thanks to an impressive qualifying campaign where they conceded only three times in six games and finished above Netherlands and Norway in their group.

To live up to that potential, the Italians will have to end a poor recent tournament record which has seen them fail to get out of the group stage at a Euros since 2013.

Here, they controlled the midfield through the impressive Emma Severini, but lacked an attacking edge until Caruso's moment of magic.

Italy must raise their game further to be considered a realistic prospect to go all the way - but this was a more promising showing than most of their recent tournament efforts.

Which players stood out?

Everything positive produced by Belgium in an attacking sense went through Wullaert, their all-time record scorer with 92 goals.

The former Manchester City forward - who scored 10 goals for Inter Milan in Serie A last season - caused Italy problems throughout with her intelligent and incessant running.

Wullaert's efforts saw Belgium have nine shots in the first half - their record in a Euros match - but her side failed to have an effort on target in the second period as they faded.

With Wullaert, Belgium will still have hopes of progressing, but shortcomings elsewhere in their squad, including a defence that shipped 19 goals in qualifying, may prove too great to overcome.

The standout stat

This was the first time Italy had won their opening match at a Women's European Championship since coming from behind to defeat England 2-1 in 2009.

What next for these sides?

Belgium next take on Spain in Group B, their match at the Stockhorn Arena in Thun kicking off at 17.00 BST on Monday 7 July, while Italy face Portugal on the same day at 20.00 BST in Geneva.

Arianna Caruso scores for Italy against Belgium at Euro 2025Getty Images

Arianna Caruso scored her 15th senior international goal to secure victory for Italy

Player of the match

A. Caruso
6.89
21 L. Lichtfus
6.75
20 M. Detruyer
6.50
13 E. Dhont
6.13
11 J. Cayman
6.00
9 T. Wullaert
5.50
15 M. Toloba
5.38
6 T. De Caigny
5.17
3 E. Van Kerkhoven
5.17
4 A. Tysiak
5.00
22 L. Deloose
5.00
7 H. Eurlings
5.00
5 S. Wijnants
5.00
19 S. Kees
4.91
17 J. Janssens
4.70
8 J. Teulings
4.63
10 J. Vanhaevermaet
4.25
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