UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter-Finals – Norway vs Italy

Norway meet Italy in the opening Quarter-Final of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

Norway progressed as Group A winners to this stage of the competition, whilst Italy finished runners-up in Group B.

 

Team News

Marit Lund is suspended for Norway following her red card in their 4-3 victory over Iceland in their final Group A match.

Thea Bjelde, Ingrid Engen, Guro Reiten and Ada Hegerberg could return after they were rested in that game.

Italy have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to report, with Cristiana Girelli set to start after she was brought on during their 3-1 loss against Spain as a substitute.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Norway meet Italy at Stade de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday 16 July at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), live on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Norway have avoided defeat in four of their five previous meetings against Italy at UEFA Women’s Euro (W3, D1, L1).
• Italy are meeting Norway at this stage of the tournament for the first time, but lost each of their two previous clashes in knockout stages in this competition by 3-0 aggregate scoreline (L2).
• Norway are yet to keep a clean sheet at this tournament (W3).
• Italy scored first in each of their three group matches (W1, D1, L1).

 

Prediction

Although they topped Group A unbeaten, Norway should be worried about their defensive fragility which will need to be rock solid to beat Italy’s counter-attacking play but they do have enough energetic attacking firepower in Hegerberg, Frida Maanum and Reiten to cause issues up front.

Italy meanwhile looked a well-organised counter-attacking team who will hunt down the ball out of possession and break at fast pace as Spain discovered, but the Italians will need to be more clinical with composed final touches if they’re to win this game.

Nevertheless this game does feel like it will be incredibly close to call because both teams are in resurgent form quality wise, so I expect a tough battle to the end but Italy might just nick this if they can sort out their composure up front.

Prediction: Norway 1-2 (AET) Italy

Result: Norway 1-2 Italy