Portugal v Italy: Women’s EURO 2025 Showdown

Portugal v Italy will ignite Matchday 2 of the Women’s EURO 2025 group stage when the two Mediterranean powers collide at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz on 7 July 2025. Both sides opened the tournament with contrasting fortunes—Portugal ground out a resilient 1-1 draw against Sweden, while Italy dazzled neutrals by upsetting Germany 2-1—setting the scene for a contest loaded with stakes, style, and simmering storylines.

Portugal v Italy: Key Storylines Heading Into Lisbon

Head coach Francisco Neto knows the Selecção Feminina cannot afford another sluggish start. Despite claiming a historic quarter-final berth two years ago, his revamped squad is still learning to live without retired playmaker Cláudia Neto. In contrast, Milena Bertolini’s Azzurre arrive brimming with confidence after Arianna Caruso’s stoppage-time winner stunned the reigning champions on Matchday 1. The Italian camp insists that result is only “step one” toward a deep run, but the coach also warned her players about Portugal’s dogged pressing and home-crowd energy.

Form Guide and Recent Results

• Portugal: D-W-W-L-D
• Italy: W-W-D-W-W

Since January, Portugal have conceded just four goals in seven matches, thanks largely to goalkeeper Inês Pereira’s reflex brilliance. Italy, meanwhile, ride a five-match unbeaten streak, fuelled by the midfield axis of Manuela Giugliano and Valentina Cernoia dictating tempo.

Projected Line-ups

Portugal (4-3-3): Pereira; Amado, Costa, Borges, Nazareth; Dolores Silva ©, Martins, Nazareth; Jessica Silva, Encarnacao, Norton
Italy (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bergamaschi, Linari, Salvai, Boattin; Cernoia, Giugliano, Caruso; Bonfantini, Girelli ©, Cantore

Late fitness tests hover over Portuguese winger Diana Silva (ankle) and Italian full-back Lisa Boattin (hamstring). Both were limited to light training on Monday.

Tactical Battle: Width Versus Weave

Portugal v Italy presents a fascinating contrast in styles. Portugal stretch play through overlapping full-backs and early diagonal switches, attempting to isolate their wingers 1-v-1. Italy prefer intricate triangles through central lanes, relying on crisp one-touch combinations. Neto may instruct midfielder Andreia Norton to man-mark Giugliano, disrupting Italy’s passing rhythm. Conversely, Bertolini is likely to release Valentina Bergamaschi higher up the right flank to pin back Ana Borges and stunt Portugal’s width.

Key Players to Watch

• Jessica Silva (Portugal) – The Sparta Prague forward’s pace is lethal on the break; she completed eight dribbles versus Sweden.
• Cristiana Girelli (Italy) – Italy’s all-time leading scorer netted a brace the last time these sides met and thrives on aerial service.
• Dolores Silva (Portugal) – The captain’s positional IQ shields the back four; her duel with Caruso could decide midfield supremacy.

Head-to-Head Record

In 14 previous meetings, Portugal have managed just two victories, with Italy winning ten and the remaining two ending level. Yet the most recent encounter in 2024 FIFA qualifying was a dramatic 2-2 draw, hinting that the gap has narrowed. Portugal v Italy therefore feels less predictable than history suggests.

Stat Pack

• Portugal average 57% possession at home since 2023.
• Italy have scored in 12 consecutive competitive fixtures.
• Portugal’s set-piece conversion rate stands at 14%; Italy’s is 19%.
• Inês Pereira boasts a 78% save percentage, third-best in the tournament so far.

The Matchday Experience

Ticket demand exploded within hours of release, and a crowd approaching 60,000 is expected under the Lisbon summer sun. UEFA has installed additional misting stations and hydration points, anticipating temperatures around 31°C. Local transport authorities confirmed metro services will run past midnight to accommodate supporters and media after the late kickoff.

How to Follow Live

News Goal will provide minute-by-minute text commentary, real-time xG graphics, and interactive polls directly from the press box. Broadcast rights in Europe sit with UEFA’s free-to-air partners, while global fans can stream through the official UEFA TV app. Commentary will be available in Portuguese, Italian, and English, ensuring every tactical tweak and VAR check is captured instantly.

Manager Quotes

Neto: “We respect Italy but fear no one. Our supporters turned this stadium into a fortress—on July 7 it will be the loudest place in Europe.”
Bertolini: “Beating Germany was special, yet it will count for little if we slip in Lisbon. We must match Portugal’s aggression and silence the crowd early.”

Prediction and Implications

A Portugal victory would catapult the hosts to four points, virtually sealing a quarter-final berth. An Italian win, however, would put them top of Group C and leave Portugal needing a result against Germany on the final day. A draw keeps the quartet wide-open. Expect tense phases but also flashpoints of creative flair.

My Take

Italy’s midfield coherence gives them a slight edge, but the emotional surge of a home Euros cannot be overstated. If Portugal convert the energy of the stands into ruthless finishing—a quality that deserted them against Sweden—Neto’s team could earn a watershed triumph. Still, the Azzurre’s composure under pressure feels decisive. A 2-2 thriller is on the cards, with both nations reinforcing their credentials as dark horses for the crown.