Key events
8 min: Wullaert looks to find Toloba in the box with an attempted through ball but her effort runs behind for a goal kick.
6 min: Italy have a free kick on the left and a cross is sent into the box by Boattin. Salvai goes for goal with a header, but Lichtfus is there to catch.
4 min: Italy head straight down to the other end of the pitch and win a corner, but nothing comes of the set piece and Lichtfus is able to claim.
2 min: Belgium break away down the left and Janssens sends a low cross to Wullaert in the box. The striker goes for goal with her first touch and forces an early save from Giuliani.
KICK-OFF
We’re under way in Sion!
Both teams pay tribute to Diogo Jota and André Silva with a moment of silence.
I have to say, the Stade Tourbillon is probably one of the most picturesque stadiums I think I’ve ever seen! The mountainous backdrop behind the ground is absolutely stunning. Anyway, onto the football now…
The teams are out! The national anthems are about to be sung. Kick-off is just a few moments away!
Here’s a reminder of the games we’ve got to look forward to this evening:
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Belgium v Italy
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Spain v Portugal
The Guardian Football team have been incredibly busy over the last few weeks putting together features, interviews and team guides to see you all through the tournament. Let me first point you in the direction of this absolutely mammoth guide to all 368 players appearing at Euro 2025 this month.
If you’re checking out our Belgium page, you might as well also look at our Italy team guide to read up on Andrea Soncin’s squad.
As we approach kick-off, be sure to check out our Belgium team guide to become acquainted with Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir and her team.
UEFA announced this morning that a moment of silence will take place before each of the next four Euro 2025 games in memory of both Diogo Jota and André Silva. A statement read: “UEFA announces that a moment of silence will be observed at all of today’s and tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 matches in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva who tragically passed away today.”
Football is in mourning today. It would feel wrong to continue this live blog without talking about the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. The 28-year-old Liverpool star and his 26-year-old brother, who played for Portuguese second-division team Penafiel, died in a car accident in north-western Spain this morning.
Jota married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three young children, just 11 days ago in Porto. On Monday, Rute shared photographs from their wedding day and wrote: “My dream came true.” Jota commented: “I’m the lucky one.”
The gravity of Jota’s death, and the death of his younger brother, has been, and will continue to be, felt by millions across the world.
Belgium, Italy, and everybody at the Stade Tourbillon this afternoon will pay tribute to both prior to kick-off with a moment of silence.
Team news
Belgium starting line-up: Lisa Lichtfus; Laura Deloose, Janice Cayman, Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak, Jill Janssens; Justine Vanhaevermaet, Jarne Teulings, Hannah Eurlings, Mariam Toloba; Tessa Wullaert (C). Substitutes: Nicky Evrard, Femke Bastiaen, Davina Philtjens, Ella Van Kerkhoven, Sarah Wijnants, Tine De Caigny, Elena Dhont, Jassina Blom, Zenia Mertens, Isabelle Iliano, Marie Detruyer, Kassandra Missipo.
Italy starting line-up: Laura Giuliani; Martina Lenzini, Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari, Lucia Di Guglielmo; Sofia Cantore, Manuela Giugliano, Emma Severini, Lisa Boattin; Arianna Caruso; Cristiana Girelli (C). Substitutes: Rachele Baldi, Francesca Durante, Elisabetta Oliviero, Eva Schatzer, Martina Piemonte, Barbara Bonansea, Julie Piga, Valentina Bergamaschi, Annamaria Serturini, Eleonora Goldoni, Giada Greggi, Michela Cambiaghi.
Preamble
Hello, hallo, ciao and welcome to coverage of Belgium v Italy at Euro 2025. The tournament kicked off yesterday with Finland beating Iceland 1-0 and hosts Switzerland suffering a 2-1 defeat to Norway.
Today, we move on to Group B which could prove to be the pick of the bunch. With Spain expected to seal the top spot, Belgium and Italy could both still be in contention for the second knockout qualification place come the final match of the round on July 11. This year, Belgium will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals for just the second time in their history. However, the Italians will be very difficult to beat.
Kick-off for this one is 5pm BST.
