Spain Seeks Quarter-Final Berth with Another Warning to Europe

Spain's women's national team is sailing smoothly into their second match of the European Championship. Belgium, a team the world champions have defeated in their last four encounters over the past two years, stands between Montse Tomé's squad and the quarter-finals. This match also presents an excellent opportunity to send another warning to Europe.

After the first round of the tournament, no contender has displayed the level of play that Spain showcased in their debut against Portugal. The Iberian clash ended with a dominant victory and the sense that the reigning World Cup and Nations League champions have ample reasons to dream of an unprecedented treble.

Neither the absences of Cata Coll and Irene Paredes nor Aitana Bonmatí's benching prevented Spain from delivering a stunning performance in the tournament's opening. It was a true exhibition led by a version of Alexia Putellas reminiscent of the player who ruled world football before her severe knee injury, just before the 2022 European Championship.

With Alexia in top form and her successor in women's football, Aitana Bonmatí, now recovered from the viral meningitis that even saw her hospitalised before joining the Spanish squad in Switzerland, Spain continues to dream big in the European Championship. "I had a smile but was also frustrated to be on the bench," explained the current double Ballon d'Or winner about her feelings during the match against Portugal, starting as a substitute, a very unusual role for her. "I'm ready for 90 minutes and more," she declared, always competitive, in an interview with TVE ahead of the match against Belgium.

For this commitment, Spain also regains captain Irene Paredes, who was suspended for the tournament's debut, although caution is advised with the inclusion of Cata Coll, affected by tonsillitis that has significantly impacted the Barça goalkeeper in the early stages of the competition. Nanclares, who confidently handled the responsibility of the debut, is again expected to guard the goal in a match that holds the key to the quarter-finals if victorious and if Portugal does not defeat Italy in the other group match. Therefore, Montse Tomé will set aside rotations until the job is done.

"We understand that after the first round we are considered favourites, but we must keep our feet on the ground, be humble, and continue working," warned the Spanish coach, who wants no complacency despite recent results against Belgium, including a 0-7 in 2024 on the way to this European Championship and a 1-5 this year in the Nations League group stage. However, Belgium posed a significant challenge to the world champions in February in Valencia, in a match decided by goals from Lucía García and Martín-Prieto in injury time, with a comeback included (3-2).

That hard-fought victory serves as a warning about an opponent that threatens through the scoring ability of Tessa Wullaert, Inter Milan's forward. "We know Belgium well, we know they will come out to defend, but they are the team that transitions best in the group," assessed Montse Tomé about the opponent. The Red Flames arrive with no room for error after a narrow defeat to Italy, intending to turn necessity into virtue and challenge Spain's theoretical favouritism, a formidable opponent eyeing the quarter-finals and aiming to continue intimidating the Old Continent on their way to that round.

Spain: Nanclares, Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Olga Carmona, Aitana, Guijarro, Alexia, Mariona, Esther, and Pina.

Belgium: Lichtfus, Deloose, Tysiak, Kees, Cayman, Janssens, Toloba, Vanhaevermaet, Missipo, Eurlings, and Wullaert.

Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary).

Stadium: Arena Thun.

Time and TV: 18:00 h. La 1.