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The players are out and the anthems will soon follow, a cracking match one our hands.
Charles Antaki has got in touch to share his potentially unpopular food opinion:
If not doughnuts, then in honour of the (probably) victorious Spain team today what about churros? When I was in Spain the idea was always attractive, until I watched them being extruded from the, er, churros-extruding machine and into the hot oil. Quite put me off. Doughnut manufacture is probably equally off putting, but at least behind closed doors.
I didn’t even think about the cooking process, though there may be a few people reading this which may love them regardless. I have to admit I am partial to a churro.
The players will emerge soon, can Belgium cause an upset? Or will Spain continue their perfect start? All to come.
I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch about all things Euro 2025 but on my blogs I like a bit of snack chat too. Yesterday we had a bit of a shortbread debate and so it feels like a safe space to share some food related unpopular opinions. For example, I cannot stand doughnuts. Email me and let me know yours.
Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, Belgium coach, said:
When I got the offer to become Belgium’s coach, I already knew we would face Spain three times. That is a challenge as a coach, but at the same time I love that, because it is extra motivation when you can measure yourself against such teams. You learn from it and you only grow from it.
It’s not like we can surprise them anymore. They know our team very well. But we have studied them and found some weaknesses which we will try to exploit. So in that regards, I expect a different game.
Despite Belgium losing to Italy in their opener, they are more than capable of getting a result. They beat England 3-2 in the Nations League in April so Spain will not be under-estimating them. Spain’s manager Montse Tomé said:
I have looked at the most recent matches, of course, they’re recent and they still have the same head coach. We know Belgium very well and they have players of great quality
There has also been a defiant update from the England camp from Lauren Hemp, you can read more here:
Here is what happened yesterday in Group A’s games where Norway secured top of the group and Iceland were knocked out:
If Spain’s Laia Aleixandri or Belgium’s Sari Kees receive a yellow card in this game they will be suspended for the next one. That is because they received a yellow card in their respective opening games.
Team news
The team news is in. Main news from favourites Spain is that Aitana Bonmati remains on the bench, as does goalkeeper Cata Coll. Bonmati was hospitalised last week with viral meningitis and Coll has had an illness recently. No changes for Spain.
Spain: Nanclares; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Lopez, Patri, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina
Subs: Sullastres, Cata Coll, Fernàndez, Méndez, Bonmatí, Del Castillo, Ouahabi, Martin-Prieto, L. García, Paralluelo, Redondo, M. Zubieta
Belgium, meanwhile, have made no changes to their team who lost 1-0 last time out.
Belgium: Lichtfus; Janssens, Tysiak, Kees, Cayman, Deloose; Toloba, Vanhaevermaet, Teulings; Wullaert, Eurlings
Subs: Evrard, Bastiaen, Philtjens, Van Kerkhoven, Wijnants, De Caigny, Dhont, Blom, Mertens, Iliano, Detruyer, Missipo
The last two times these two nations played one another it was world champions Spain who came out on top. In February Spain beat them 3-2 and in May they came away with a 5-1 result.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Group B match between favourites Spain and Belgium at Euro 2025.
Spain put out an impressive performance against Portugal in their opener in a 5-0 win, while Belgium fell to a 1-0 defeat to Italy. It is possible for both Belgium and Portugal to be knocked out today.
Belgium will be heading home if they lose this evening and Italy do not lose to Portugal, while Portugal will be out if they lose to Italy and Spain do not lose to Belgium.
Spain, though, could book their spot in the knockout stage this evening if they beat Belgium and Portugal do not beat Italy. The permutations can be a bit bewildering at times but as the picture changes we shall update you on all eventulaities.
The team news will be dropping soon so stay tuned before kick-off at 5pm BST.
