Esther Gonzalez scored her fourth goal at Euro 2025 as Spain claimed a hard-fought victory against Italy to maintain their 100% record and top Group B.
Despite the defeat, Italy finished second to secure their spot in the quarter-finals as Portugal lost to the already-eliminated Belgium in Friday's other Group B encounter.
Le Azzurre surprised Spain with a strong start as captain Elena Linari hit the crossbar with a bullet header, before Elisabetta Oliviero opened the scoring with a lethal left-footed strike past Adriana Nanclares.
Their lead lasted just four minutes as Athenea del Castillo drove through the Italian defence before linking up brilliantly with Alexia Putellas, who teed the ball up with a deft backheel for Del Castillo to leather home.
Italy should have gone into half-time ahead, but Martina Piemonte dragged her shot wide after being played through by Oliviero, while Barbara Bonansea couldn't keep down a header from close range.
Andrea Soncin's side began the second half with the same intensity, but it was Spain who scored first four minutes after the restart. After Del Castillo's mazy run was halted, Guijarro latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner.
Apart from a terrific save from Nanclares to stop a deflected effort from Sofia Cantore, the world champions retained control and Gonzalez put the game to bed in stoppage time by poking in from from close range after another Putellas assist.
Spain will face hosts Switzerland in the last eight, while Italy take on Norway.