Looking for a EURO 2025 recap? Well we have you covered. Matchday six at UEFA EURO 2025 was a beautiful goal fest that saw Spain through, Belgium out and Italy and Portugal’s fates hanging in the balance.
There was no shortage of drama as Spain dismantled Belgium 6-2 before Portugal and Italy played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. The net was bulged 10 times on match day six that’s four times more than on any other day of the tournament so far.
The Halfway Line is here to tell you everything you need to know about a day we’re still trying to catch our breath from.
Spain sizzle and Belgium fizzle out
La Roja put six goals past Belgium but were met with sterner resistance than four days ago. Twice the Belgian Red Flames fought back from a goal down scoring two magnificent goals of their own. One, a towering header from Justine Vanhaevermaet and the other a wonderful run in behind and finish from Hannah Eurlings.
However two goals from Alexia Putellas, and a goal each for Irene Paredes, Esther González, Mariona Caldentey and Clàudia Pina proved too much for Belgium. Much of the talk before hand had been surrounding the role that Ballon d’Or incumbent Aitana Bonmatí might play. She would have to wait for her minutes but not as long as the 80 minutes she waited itching to get on the pitch against Portugal. This time she came on at half time replacing 18 year old Vicky López, despite being hooked early López was still able to pick up an assist.
Spain saved their best for the second half with Alexia, Mariona, Patri and Bonmatí conducting from the middle of the park, Spain were irresistible. The pick of the bunch came from Pina who curled a shot into the top corner with unerring accuracy. That put the match and a place in the next round well and truly beyond Belgium. With the result from later in the day Spain also confirmed their place in the quarter finals.
Portugal survive and Italy are made to wait
If the headline from group B’s early kick off was the potential return of an influential Barcelona midfielder, well history would repeat itself just a few hours later. Kika Nazareth returned to the Portugal line up and clearly gave her side a boost. In an end to end encounter, the last ten minutes of which played out more like a basketball game, football was the real winner.
Italian legend Cristiana Girelli, at 35 years young found the top corner in one of the strikes of the tournament with 20 minutes to play. And with just two minutes of normal time remaining, a magnificent equaliser from Diana Gomes secured a draw for the underdogs. That is of course, before you mention, the disallowed goal, the crossbar being hit more times than Katie Taylor’s punching bag and a red card to boot. Phew!
The Halfway OnLine
If you’d seen Bonmatí on the bench on Thursday night, you’d have seen her eye balls boring a hole in the back of Monste Tome’s head.
This was the Barcelona midfielder waiting for the call from the bench to be subbed on. So it’s good to get some insight into the thoughts of the head coach this time out. Unsure why she is publishing her diary on the internet mind.
dear diary:
Aitana won’t stop staring at me. I’m feeling unsafe and uncomfortable. send help. pic.twitter.com/GpC6JWb68R
— Montse Tome’s Diary (@TomesDiary) July 7, 2025
From one legend watching from the side lines to another…
who is this DIVA pic.twitter.com/Z9LhoumLbo
— bald dog #euro2025 (@skinnover) July 7, 2025
Even everyone’s favourite statsman Sam Biccarino knows sometimes the stats just don’t do the beautiful game justice:
GIRELLI THAT IS STUNNING
— Sam Biccarino (@stattorino) July 7, 2025
Tell them louder for the people at the back!
Offside has such main character energy this tournament ugh
— JPH (@jessyjph) July 7, 2025
I knew I recognized her from somewhere!
Alexia Putellas, famous for starring in Scotland 1-0 Spain at WEURO ’17, got POTM today for her performance against Belgium https://t.co/XOSBKM7a8v
— How’s Your Touch (@HowsYourTouch_) July 7, 2025
You can read all of the latest news, analysis and opinion at Euro 2025 on The Halfway Line.
