‘Stop killing children, Stop killing civilians’ banners shown at match after criticism over tribute to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid who was killed by Israel.
UEFA has unfurled a banner with the message “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” on the pitch before the Super Cup football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham in Udine, Italy, in the wake of heavy fallout over its meek tribute to a Palestinian player killed by Israel.
“The message is loud and clear,” European football’s governing body said in a post on X om Wednesday. “A banner. A call.”
Nine children refugees from Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iraq carried the banner onto the field of play before the game began.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah last week criticised a UEFA tribute to the late Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele”, after European football’s governing body failed to reference the circumstances surrounding his killing.
The Palestine Football Association said al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip.
In a brief post on X, UEFA called the former national team member “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times”.
Salah responded, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Speaking to Al Jazeera last week, Bassil Mikdadi, the founder of Football Palestine, said he did not expect the football body to respond to the criticism.
“UEFA have not issued a follow-up, and frankly, I’d be surprised if they do,” he said, citing the “complete silence” of football and players’ bodies since the start of the war on Gaza.
Even UEFA’s tribute to al-Obeid “was a bit of a surprise”, Mikdadi said.
“Suleiman al-Obeid is not the first Palestinian footballer to perish in this genocide – there’s been over 400 – but he’s by far the most prominent as of now.”
Salah, one of the Premier League’s biggest stars, has advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza during the nearly two-year-long war.
But some responding to Salah’s post asked why it had taken the 33-year-old Egyptian so long to weigh in on Israel’s genocidal war.
The banner move came a day after the UEFA Foundation for Children announced its latest initiative to help children affected by war in different parts of the world – a partnership with Medecins du Monde, Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials MSF), and Handicap International.
They are charities “providing vital humanitarian help for the children of Gaza,” UEFA said in a news release on Tuesday.
UEFA has supported projects regarding children affected in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine.
‘Stop killing children, Stop killing civilians’ banners shown at match after criticism over tribute to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid who was killed by Israel.
UEFA has unfurled a banner with the message “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” on the pitch before the Super Cup football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham in Udine, Italy, in the wake of heavy fallout over its meek tribute to a Palestinian player killed by Israel.
“The message is loud and clear,” European football’s governing body said in a post on X om Wednesday. “A banner. A call.”
Nine children refugees from Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iraq carried the banner onto the field of play before the game began.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah last week criticised a UEFA tribute to the late Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele”, after European football’s governing body failed to reference the circumstances surrounding his killing.
The Palestine Football Association said al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip.
In a brief post on X, UEFA called the former national team member “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times”.
Salah responded, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Speaking to Al Jazeera last week, Bassil Mikdadi, the founder of Football Palestine, said he did not expect the football body to respond to the criticism.
“UEFA have not issued a follow-up, and frankly, I’d be surprised if they do,” he said, citing the “complete silence” of football and players’ bodies since the start of the war on Gaza.
Even UEFA’s tribute to al-Obeid “was a bit of a surprise”, Mikdadi said.
“Suleiman al-Obeid is not the first Palestinian footballer to perish in this genocide – there’s been over 400 – but he’s by far the most prominent as of now.”
Salah, one of the Premier League’s biggest stars, has advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza during the nearly two-year-long war.
But some responding to Salah’s post asked why it had taken the 33-year-old Egyptian so long to weigh in on Israel’s genocidal war.
The banner move came a day after the UEFA Foundation for Children announced its latest initiative to help children affected by war in different parts of the world – a partnership with Medecins du Monde, Doctors Without Borders (known by its French initials MSF), and Handicap International.
They are charities “providing vital humanitarian help for the children of Gaza,” UEFA said in a news release on Tuesday.
UEFA has supported projects regarding children affected in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine.
Tottenham let slip a two-goal lead as late PSG strikes sent European football’s season opener to penalties in Italy.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup, completing a remarkable rally after scoring two late goals to take the match to a shootout.
It secured the fifth trophy of 2025 for the French club.
Lee Kang-in scored in the 85th for PSG, and fellow substitute Goncalo Ramos grabbed an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-2 in regulation.
Nuno Mendes converted the clinching penalty in the shootout for PSG.
“I am proud. We haven’t [had] much preparation, but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect – it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics,” PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up, and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that.”
Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz, Goncalo Ramos and Marquinhos celebrate after winning the UEFA Super Cup [Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters]
The Super Cup is an annual early-season match between the most recent winners of the Champions League (PSG) and Europa League (Tottenham), and it was hardly going to script when the English club took a 2-0 lead early in the second half.
Defenders popped up with Spurs’ goals, with Micky van de Ven showing quick reactions to prod home the opener in the 39th minute after new PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier tipped Joao Palhinha’s shot onto the crossbar.
Chevalier – playing ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who announced Tuesday he was leaving PSG – might have been unlucky with the first goal but was to blame for the second after failing to keep out a header from newly appointed Tottenham captain Cristian Romero in the 48th.
Tottenham is further along in its preparations for the new campaign than PSG, whose players have only just returned to training after being involved in the Club World Cup until mid-July, and looked much sharper at Stadio Friuli.
PSG finished strongly, though, and hit Tottenham with late goals as Lee smashed in a low shot from the edge of the area and Ramos headed home Ousmane Dembele’s right-wing cross.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos scores their second goal [Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters]
In the shootout, Vitinha missed PSG’s first attempt, but the French team then converted four in a row. Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failed to score for Tottenham, whose manager, Thomas Frank, was taking charge of his first competitive match with the Premier League team.
Frank took over in the offseason following the firing of Ange Postecoglou, who led Tottenham to its first trophy in 17 years with a victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May.
“I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world – maybe the best in this moment in time,” Frank told TNT Sports.
“I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal. Then, of course, that shifted a little bit the momentum, but there was so much positive.
“I am so proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. I think there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of a coin when you go into a penalty shootout.”
PSG completed the Champions League-Ligue 1-Coupe de France treble last season, also winning the Trophee des Champions in January. The team lost the Club World Cup final to Chelsea.
Substitute Lee Kang-in produces a brilliant strike from the edge of the box to bring Paris Saint-Germain back into the game as Tottenham’s lead is cut to 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup final in Udine.
Goncalo Ramos gets on the end of a fizzing Ousmane Dembele cross as Paris Saint-Germain come from two goals down to draw level with Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup final in Udine.
Crystal Palace have said “sporting merit is rendered meaningless” after losing their appeal against demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League.
After winning the FA Cup last season, Palace qualified for Europe’s secondary competition but were punished by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership rules.
In a strongly worded statement, Palace said it was ” almost impossible to receive a fair hearing.”
“The decision by Uefa and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless,” Palace said.
“It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power.
“This growing and unhealthy influence has shattered the hopes and dreams of Crystal Palace supporters, and does not bode well for aspirational teams all over Europe competing to progress when rules and sanctions are unevenly applied in the most flagrant way.”
Palace added they will “continue to take legal advice on the next steps” as they prepare to compete in the Conference League.
Who: Paris Saint-Germain vs Tottenham Hotspur What: UEFA Super Cup Where: Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy When: Wednesday, August 13 at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 5pm (15:00 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream.
The first major trophy of the season is up for grabs and UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will be targeting a fourth title in the calendar year when they face Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur.
Luis Enrique’s Parisians swept all before them on home soil and in Europe last year, although success wasn’t to follow on the global stage in the summer.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank inherits a side that secured their first European trophy in more than four decades. The north Londoners, however, finished only one place above the relegation zone in the English Premier League.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the match being played at the home of Italian side Udinese.
What is the UEFA Super Cup?
The competition pits the winners of the previous season’s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League competitions.
The 2025 UEFA Super Cup Giant Ball and Trophy in Piazza Matteotti before the UEFA Super Cup in Udine City Centre [Chris Ricco – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images]
How did PSG and Tottenham qualify for the Super Cup final?
Brennan Johnson scored the only goal of the game in the first half. It wasn’t enough to save Ange Postecoglu’s job as manager, as the Australian was sacked two weeks later following the 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur’s now-departed captain, Son Heung-min, lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Europa League final last season [Andrew Couldridge/Reuters]
What trophies did PSG win in their treble last season?
PSG sealed the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season by an incredible 19 points – despite easing off for the final three-winless matches.
The Parisians also sealed the French Cup, beating Reims 3-0, a week before the Champions League final.
What happened to PSG at the UEFA Club World Cup?
Following their treble, PSG had the chance to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City, who lifted five trophies in a calendar year in 2023.
Pep Guardiola’s side followed up the domestic and European treble with wins in the Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) that year.
PSG’s chance to replicate that unique achievement was ended by a shock 3-0 defeat by unfancied Chelsea in the final of this year’s expanded CWC.
Are Real Madrid the record UEFA Super Cup winners?
Yes. The Spanish giants’ victory against Atalanta in 2024 was a record-extending sixth Super Cup victory. It was also the fifth time in 11 years that Los Blancos lifted the trophy.
Real Madrid players and staff pose with the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup final against Atalanta last season [Darko Bandic/AP]
What happens if you win the UEFA Super Cup?
Both finalists have already qualified for this season’s UEFA Champions League based on their European victories last season.
UEFA retains the official trophy, but a replica, alongside 40 gold medals, are presented to the winners to keep.
How much money does the UEFA Super Cup winner get?
The winners will receive a cheque for 5 million euros ($5.8m) in prize money.
The runners-up don’t fare too badly, receiving 4 million euros ($4.64m).
The Winners’ Medal is seen before the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Udine, Italy [Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images]
PSG team news
Midfielder Joao Neves is suspended following his red card in the FIFA World Cup final defeat by Chelsea.
Conversely, Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were both suspended for that final but are free to return for this match.
New signing from Lille, Lucas Chevalier, could start in goal with rumours that Gianluigi Donnarumma could be about to leave the club.
Tottenham team news
James Maddison tore his ACL in the preseason friendly with Newcastle United and is now set to miss most of the forthcoming campaign.
Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Dominic Solanke all remain sidelined, while Destiny Udogie is also a doubt.
Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Johnson, Richarlison, Kudus
A general view of Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, before the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur [Claudio Villa/Getty Images]
Former Palestinian international player Suleiman Al-Obeid was killed by an Israeli attack on aid seekers in Gaza on Wednesday.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has criticised the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)’s tribute to the late Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele,” after European football’s governing body failed to reference the circumstances surrounding his death this week.
The Palestine Football Association said that Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
In a brief post on the social media platform X, UEFA called the former national team member “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times”.
Salah responded: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
UEFA was not immediately available to comment when contacted by the Reuters news agency.
One of the Premier League’s biggest stars, the 33-year-old Egyptian, Salah, has previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza during the nearly two-year-long war.
The United Nations says that more than 1,000 people have been killed near aid distribution sites and aid convoys in Gaza since the launch of the GHF, a United States- and Israel-backed aid distribution system, in late May.
Hands on her head, disbelief clouding her thoughts, Lioness defender Lucy Bronze stood frozen in front of the goal. England were 1-0 down in the Women’s Euro 2025 final to the tournament favourites, Spain, and their team was a chaotic mess.
It was a situation that was all too familiar.
For the third match in a row, England’s players stared at the scoreboard, devoid of answers. A 25th-minute header from Mariona Caldentey, the final touch on a blistering Spanish move down the right channel, had silenced the roaring Lionesses.
“Not again,” was the collective murmur of the England fans everywhere, from the tens of thousands packed into Basel’s St Jakob-Park in Switzerland, to the millions watching nervously back home. They had seen this downbeat script before: a first-half Spain goal in the 2023 FIFA World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, had crushed English hearts.
But this time, the ending was England’s to write.
Living up to their billing as the comeback queens of the tournament, the Lionesses clawed their way back into the contest through Alessia Russo’s equaliser in the second half, forcing the world champions into extra time.
Two hours of football saw the statistics heavily favour La Roja, but for all their skill and swagger, it was England’s grit and grind that carried them through to victory.
“Football is chaos,” England coach Sarina Wiegman told the BBC after riding a rollercoaster of emotions on the touchline as her side beat Spain 3-1 on penalties.
With her signature prancing run-up, Chloe Kelly buried the final spot kick into the net, triumphantly punching her fist in the air. The comeback, or “remontada” as the Spaniards call it, was complete.
The calm and composed Kelly, who also set up Russo’s header, was once again the heroic face of England’s title-winning team, just as she was at Wembley three years ago at Euro 2022.
“The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice,” remarked the 27-year-old, flashing a smile as she proudly held up the coveted gold medal hanging around her neck.
For the second time in a row, Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal for England in a Women’s European Championship final [Alessandra Tarantino/AP]
Super-subs steal the show
Sunday’s comeback victory was a fitting nod to England’s Euro 2025 campaign: thrilling, chaotic and entertaining.
For a team that led for just under five minutes in the knockout stage, their ability to survive, adapt and strike when it mattered most defined their championship journey.
And in doing so, they scripted one of the greatest chapters in English football history, a triumph rivalled only by the men’s World Cup win at home in 1966.
“It has been the most chaotic tournament on the pitch…. From the first game, it was chaos,” said Dutchwoman Wiegman, who now has three Euro titles in her resume.
“Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible.”
Indeed, England’s title defence began with a 2-1 loss to France, casting early doubt over their credentials as true contenders. But resounding victories – a 4-0 thrashing of the mighty Netherlands and a 6-1 rout of neighbours Wales – steadied the ship as they sailed through to the knockouts.
The storm, though, arrived soon enough, bringing with it the ultimate test of England’s resolve at the business end of the tournament. The quarterfinals and semifinals pushed the team to the brink, demanding utmost composure from the players in the nerve-racking late-game moments. They rose to each occasion, with Wiegman’s tactical nous and the squad depth proving decisive.
Eleven minutes away from elimination in the quarterfinals, teen sensation Michelle Agyemang scored a superb equaliser against Sweden, as England recovered from two goals down to win 3-2 on penalties.
The 19-year-old reserve player, whose surname fittingly means “saviour of the nation“, once again stepped up when it mattered the most, this time in the semifinals against Italy, netting a stoppage-time leveller to send the match into extra time.
Super-sub Kelly then finished the job, converting the rebound from a missed penalty in the dying seconds of extra time.
The impact of England’s interchange players at the tournament was unmatched. They were directly involved in 10 goals, twice as many as any other side and the most ever recorded in a single edition of the tournament since 2013.
Playing in her first major tournament, 19-year-old substitute forward Michelle Agyemang was named the best young player of Euro 2025 [Alessandra Tarantino/AP]
‘Tough times don’t last’
Just six months ago, Kelly was struggling for minutes at Manchester City and unsure of her Euro 2025 spot, until a loan move to Arsenal changed her fortunes.
“Just around the corner was a Champions League final, won that, and now a Euros final, won that,” said Kelly, who has made a habit of changing matches when it matters most.
“If that’s a story to tell someone, maybe experiencing something the same, tough times don’t last.”
Just like Kelly, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also overcame adversity to emerge as one of England’s most impactful players at the European Championships.
The 24-year-old, playing in her first major tournament and filling in for the big shoes of Mary Earps, pulled off two brilliant saves in the quarterfinals with a bloodied nose before thwarting away two more crucial goal attempts in the final, including one from Aitana Bonmati, considered by many football commentators to be the best player in the world.
Born with a serious eye condition that still affects her depth perception despite multiple surgeries, Hampton defied the odds, ending her Euro campaign with the player of the match award in the final.
“I think she’s done amazing,” Wiegman said of Hampton. “It’s a bit like a fairytale to stop those penalties in the final of the Euros and to win it.”
Having weathered the storm in Switzerland, Wiegman and the Lionesses are back on home soil. As they ride through roaring crowds in their open-top bus parade across London on Tuesday, the message is no longer, “It’s coming home”. This time, it’s staying home.
The storm is over. Now it’s party time for the Lionesses and their fans [Martin Meissner/AP]
Collapsing to the ground, hands covering her eyes, Michelle Agyemang was overcome by the occasion. In a moment when England desperately needed a lifeline, the 19-year-old, whose surname fittingly means “saviour of the nation”, rose when it mattered the most.
A little-known teenage player just weeks ago, her name now lingers on every England football fan’s lips after her 96th-minute equalising goal against Italy dragged the team from the jaws of defeat, as the Lionesses roared back into the UEFA Women’s Euro semifinal in Geneva.
Although Chloe Kelly sealed the comeback with her extra-time winner, the spotlight belonged to Agyemang, who stepped up when no one else did, showing a composure that belied her age.
Agyemang’s goal in Tuesday’s win against Italy – a sensational double-nutmeg finish – was the second time in five days she had rescued England with a “super-sub” performance, after also coming off the bench to score a late equaliser in their quarterfinal victory over Sweden.
“Big Mich at it again!” Kelly told ITV Sport. “She’s an unbelievable player and she’s got the world at her feet. A young player with a bright future. I’m absolutely buzzing for her.”
From the stands of Stade de Geneve to the roar at Wembley Boxpark, Agyemang has stirred belief in thousands of English fans when everything seemed lost at Euro 2025. With her black braids trailing behind her blazing runs on the pitch, the striker is must-watch TV as she surges forward with a combination of power, poise and unselfish play.
“She plays beyond her years,” said Ellen White, England’s Euro 2022 winner, on BBC. “The way she holds the ball up, brings others into play… What she’s done with limited minutes, she’s turned England’s history on its head and helped them reach another final.”
With three goals in four international appearances, Agyemang has added a new scoring dimension to the Lionesses [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
A star is born
Included in the England squad as a wild card selection, Agyemang, who is of Ghanaian descent, has proven to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament, playing a crucial role in the reigning champions’ run to Sunday’s final against Spain in Basel.
She earned a call-up for the European Championships despite having played just one international match for the Lionesses, becoming the youngest player on the squad. Watching her glide through defenders and finish with such calm at Euro 2025, it’s difficult to believe Agyemang only made her international debut three months ago.
As late as 2021, she stood on the sidelines as a ball girl at the famous Wembley Stadium in London and tossed the football to some of England’s current superstars during one of Sarina Wiegman’s first games as national coach.
“Four years ago, I was a kid, throwing balls to some of these girls, but now I’m here playing with them. It’s a great opportunity and I’m so glad I’m here,” Agyemang said.
“To be doing this at this level, to be helping out this team, is more than what I could have wished for, so I’m so grateful to be here.”
Agyemang’s composure on the grandest stage has been remarkable, but not surprising.
Making her international debut in April, the 1.69-metre (5ft-6.5in) forward fired off a brilliant volley to score within 41 seconds of coming off the bench – and giving Wiegman a first glimpse of her immense talent.
“I said with the squad announcement already that she brings something special,” Wiegman recalled. “She is only 19, but she is very mature. She knows exactly what she has to do. If she continues like this, she has a very bright future.”
Agyemang, #17, who is the youngest player in England’s Euro 2025 squad, has been used as a super-sub by coach Sarina Wiegman, left, during the tournament [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
‘Crazy season’
Born in Essex to a family of Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham United supporters, Agyemang is a lifelong Arsenal fan and joined the North London club’s academy at the age of six.
Making her senior debut for the Gunners in 2022 as a 16-year-old, Agyemang enjoyed some first-team experience before being loaned to second-tier side Watford for the 2023-24 season.
Five goals in 10 appearances at Watford earned her a first professional contract at Arsenal, and in September 2024, she joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in the top-tier Women’s Super League (WSL).
Although she scored only three goals and made as many starts, Agyemang was named the Women’s Young Player of the Season – a nod to the potential that was about to explode.
When she watched her parent club Arsenal lift the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy in Lisbon on May 24, Agyemang had no idea she would soon receive a FaceTime call from Wiegman for Euro 2025, which is the second-largest female football tournament on the planet.
The first person she told? Her dad, who ran around the house in disbelief and pride.
“It’s been a crazy season for me being on loan and then getting the call-up at such a late time in the season. But, you know, everything happens for a reason,” Agyemang said.
“It’s easy to come here and not really be connected to a team because of the short amount of time, but they have really taken me in and I’m so grateful.”
Agyemang’s sensational 96th-minute equaliser against Italy in the Euro 2025 semifinal has turned her into a household name in England [Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters]
Holders England face Italy while world champions Spain take on Germany as the Women’s Euro enters its final week.
A last-minute winner, two thrilling shootouts, missed penalties and countless saves – the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Euro delivered everything one could ask for.
The drama now rolls on to the final week with four teams left in the hunt for the European crown.
Here’s how the Euro 2025 semifinals line up:
⚽ First semifinal: England vs Italy
When: Tuesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
A long-cherished dream became a reality for Italy on Wednesday when captain Cristiana Girelli’s 90th-minute header ended their 28-year wait for a place in the semifinals of the Women’s European championships.
Coming into the contest as the underdogs, Italy stunned Norway 2-1 as Girelli scored twice while Ada Hegerberg netted once for the Norwegians after missing a penalty for the second time in this year’s tournament.
“I felt something different, something special. I have seen in the eyes of my teammates a special light,” the 35-year-old Girelli said after the game. “If you have a flame, you have to continue to live. We suffered a lot, but we fought until the end.”
Their fairytale run now faces its next test against holders England, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout against Sweden on Thursday.
Eleven minutes from full-time the Lionesses – trailing 2-0 and on the brink of elimination – mounted a rapid comeback, scoring two goals in two minutes to send the match into extra time.
In the penalty shootout, which featured 14 attempts, defender Lucy Bronze slammed her spot kick into the roof of the net as the seventh penalty taker, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two saves as England coach Sarina Wiegman breathed a sigh of relief as her side qualified for the final four at Euro 2025.
“It was hard. One of the hardest games I’ve ever watched. Very emotional. We could’ve been out four or five times during the game,” Wiegman said.
England are unbeaten in their last five matches against Italy, all friendlies, with four of those ending in victories. The winner of the first semifinal will face either Spain or Germany in the final.
Cristiana Girelli scored a 90th-minute winner, her second goal of a superb double, as Italy beat Norway 2-1 to book their spot in the semifinals at the UEFA Women’s Euro for the first time since 1997 [Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo]
⚽ Second semifinal: Germany vs Spain
When: Wednesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Spain kept their quest for a maiden Women’s Euro title alive by knocking out hosts Switzerland 2-0 in Friday’s quarterfinal despite failing twice from the penalty spot.
The world champions were made to work hard against a stubborn Swiss defence in the first half before super sub Athenea del Castillo scored the opener shortly after the hour mark, and Claudia Pina doubled the lead with a superb curling effort. Spain’s victory kept their 100 percent winning record at Euro 2025 intact.
“Maybe we’d prefer to face Germany again because of what happened at the Olympics,” del Castillo said after the match, referring to their 1-0 defeat to Germany in the bronze medal match at Paris 2024.
Athenea may just get the revenge she hinted at: Germany are through, and Spain will now meet their Olympic nemesis in the semifinals.
The Germans defeated France 6-5 on penalties in Saturday’s thrilling semifinal, pulling off a superb comeback from a goal down despite playing with 10 players for most of the match. In the 13th minute, German midfielder Kathrin Hendrich was issued a straight red card after she pulled the hair of France captain Griedge Mbock.
With the match tied 1-1 after extra time, the contest was decided on penalties. Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero, firing home from a crucial spot kick herself before pulling off a decisive penalty save to seal the upset victory against France.
“There is a very hard and tough opponent [Spain] we have to face [in the final]. Everybody really gave their ultimate effort here, and we need to regenerate. We have to make sure we recover,” said the 34-year-old Berger, who produced a string of outstanding saves throughout the match.
Germany are unbeaten in eight meetings with Spain, winning five and drawing three with a goal count of 18-3.
Germany won the shootout against France 6-5, thanks to the heroics of Ann-Katrin Berger, who saved two shots and converted a penalty kick herself [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
Crystal Palace supporters have staged a protest against Uefa’s decision to demote the club to the Conference League.
On Tuesday, hundreds of fans marched to Palace’s Selhurst Park ground carrying banners and chanting against European football’s governing body.
The Eagles, who qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup in May – their first major trophy – were demoted to the lower tier of Uefa competition after breaching multi-club ownership rules.
American businessman John Textor owns a stake in Crystal Palace and is the majority owner of French club Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League.
The rules of European football’s governing body state clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.
Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.
Textor is currently in the process of selling his stake in Crystal Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, are set to replace Palace in the Europa League.
Palace are expected to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
“At the end of the day it’s an injustice, just by a couple of admin errors. We qualified for it,” Nick Philpot from the Red and Blue Review podcast said at the march.
“We won the cup – it should be we go into it without any question about it.
“You’re penalising the entire club and the fanbase. Why would you do that?”
Last week, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish called the decision “a bad day for football” and “a terrible injustice”.
“We’ve been locked out of a European competition on the most ridiculous technicality,” he said. “Supporters of all clubs should be devastated for us.”
With close to half a million fans attending the group-stage games, the UEFA Women’s Euros has attracted attention like never before.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the knockout stages, where the stakes are high and the pressure even higher.
Eight teams remain in contention to lift the trophy, with hosts Switzerland reaching the quarterfinals for the first time. World champions Spain have lived up to their billing as the team to beat at the competition, while holders England advanced after overcoming an early scare.
Here’s how the Euro 2025 quarterfinals line up:
⚽ First quarterfinal: Norway vs Italy
When: Wednesday, July 16 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
With a perfect nine points, Norway finished on top of Group A as expected, but they lack cohesion. The two-time European champions conceded five goals in the opening round – the most among the table toppers of the four groups.
Nonetheless, the experienced duo of striker Ada Hegerberg and winger Caroline Graham Hansen has proven to be vital for the Norwegians, who have an excellent opportunity for a deep run with Italy their quarterfinal opponent.
The Italians, who finished second in Group B, will be playing in the knockouts for the first time since 2013. Top-four finishers at six of the first seven Euro tournaments, Le Azzure have endured a barren spell since and have made the knockout round only twice in the 21st century.
But after surviving a tricky group stage – registering a win, a draw and a defeat – the Italians believe their best football is ahead of them in the last-eight.
“We have a great desire to do well, to continue dreaming, to continue writing important pages of a story that is only at the beginning,” midfielder Annamaria Serturini said before the quarterfinals.
The winner of this match will face either Sweden or England in the semifinals.
Italy finished second in Group B on four points, five behind Spain and one ahead of Belgium. Having survived a tricky group stage, Le Azzure are relaxed and full of self-belief ahead of their quarterfinal against Norway [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
⚽ Second quarterfinal: Sweden vs England
When: Thursday, July 17 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
After an opening match defeat which raised serious doubts about their title defence, England bounced back in style with consecutive statement wins, reaffirming their status as one of the heavyweights.
Thanks to the attacking prowess of Lauren James, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway, the holders scored a combined 10 goals in their last two matches, finishing second in Group D.
In the quarterfinals, the Lionesses will be up against familiar foes, Sweden, whom they smashed 4-0 at the same stage during their Euro 2022-winning campaign.
“Sweden are a fantastic team, they’re relentless in the way they go about their game,” England captain Leah Williamson said.
“I think they sort of avoid the expectation of every tournament, and nobody really talks about them, [which is] slightly disrespectful, I think, because they always show up. They always seem to pose a threat to most teams, and normally come out with a medal or [be] a semifinal team, so they’re a strong team. We’re looking forward to the fixture.”
The Swedes laid down a marker with a sensational 4-1 win against a powerful Germany outfit on July 12, sealing the top spot in Group C and laying the groundwork for a revenge victory against England in Thursday’s quarterfinal in Zurich.
Defending champions England have found their goal-scoring form before the quarterfinals but will need to be at their very best to deny Sweden in the last-eight [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
⚽ Third quarterfinal: Spain vs Switzerland
When: Friday, July 18 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
Playing in the Euro knockout stage for the first time, hosts Switzerland face their biggest test yet against reigning world champions and title favourites Spain.
La Roja, who topped Group B with three wins in as many games, looked unstoppable in the opening round, scoring a tournament-high 14 goals while conceding just three.
Twice Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas once again grabbed the spotlight with three goals and four assists, while striker Esther Gonzalez has led the scoring charts with four goals.
Switzerland, who finished second in Group A, are the underdogs in this contest but will undoubtedly count on passionate home nation support in Bern as their youthful side strives for an unlikely upset.
“I think none of us expected things to happen in Switzerland – sold out crowds… Everything is blowing up way bigger than we ever expected,” Swiss captain Lia Walti said.
“We couldn’t even imagine having this when we were little,” added defender Viola Calligaris. “And now it’s like this for every match. We felt the people cheering – that really gives you strength.”
The winner of this match will face France or Germany in the semifinals.
The Switzerland team will be counting on their enthusiastic host nation fans to provide a boost when they play title favourites Spain in Bern on Friday [File: Sebastien Bozon/AFP]
⚽ Fourth quarterfinal: France vs Germany
When: Saturday, July 19 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: St Jakob-Park, Basel
France enter the quarterfinals in scintillating form, advancing as table toppers in what many had dubbed the “group of death”.
Scoring 11 times in the opening round, including a 5-2 thrashing of the highly-touted Netherlands outfit, France proved why they are the dark horses at this year’s tournament. Attacking winger Delphine Cascarino and striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto are both in stupendous form and have scored two goals a piece in the group stage.
“When it comes to Germany, it’s a very big nation,” Cascarino said. “They won several trophies and they have already knocked out others, so we know it’s going to be a great game… we’re going to try to find the cracks and win.”
For the eight-time record champions Germany, who finished second in Group C, defensive frailties remain a concern, especially after their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Sweden in the last group match.
The last time these sides clashed was in February 2024 with France defeating Germany 2-1 to reach the first UEFA Women’s Nations League final. A victory on Saturday would also avenge France’s painful defeat to Germany in the Euro 2022 semifinals.
France’s #20 Delphine Cascarino has been on a tear at Euro 2025 and hopes to send France through to the Euro 2025 final-four with victory against Germany in Basel [File: Sebastien Bozon/AFP]
Chelsea and Barca top a list of European teams fined by the continent’s governing body for breaches in financial rules.
Chelsea have been fined 31 million euros ($36.5m) by European football’s governing body UEFA for breaches of its financial rules, while Aston Villa, Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais were also levied with large fines.
The punishments come with the potential for far harsher fines down the road, with Chelsea, who agreed to a four-year settlement with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), risking being hit with a further 60 million euros ($71m) if they do not get their finances in order.
Barcelona must pay a 15 million euro fine ($17.7m), but could potentially face 60 million in total, with UEFA fining Lyon 12.5 million and Aston Villa 11 million.
Chelsea’s fines were split into 20 million for not complying with the football earnings rule and 11 million for breaching the squad cost rule, while Aston Villa were fined five million and six million for their respective rule violations.
The clubs are also subject to a restriction on the registration of new players on their List A for UEFA club competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League.
Lyon’s four-year agreement with UEFA’s financial control body, the club’s ownership group said on Friday, would enable them to play in the Europa League next season, subject to a favourable outcome of their appeal with the DNCG, the French football financial watchdog.
Lyon’s demotion to Ligue 2 was provisionally announced by the DNCG in November due to financial irregularities and was confirmed last week.
They risk exclusion from European competitions, however, if they fail to meet the agreed targets.
The teams accepted settlement agreements which cover periods of two, three or four years, with the clubs’ final targets to be fully compliant with the football earnings rule by the end of their specific settlement period.
Chelsea sold their women’s team for 235 million euros ($277m) to a parent company, Blueco, which helped to balance their spending and avoid huge losses, despite their lavish spending in the transfer market under owner Todd Boehly. UEFA, however, refused to count the sale of the team as an asset.
The club also sold two hotels to a sister company in a deal that appears to have helped the club remain compliant with profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
Premier League clubs are not permitted to have losses of more than 105 million pounds ($143.29m) over a three-year period.
England will look to hold on to their crown when the 14th edition of the UEFA European Women’s Championship, or Women’s Euro 2025, begins in Switzerland on Wednesday.
The continent’s top nations will compete over the course of the 26-day tournament across eight host cities.
Here’s everything you need to know about the championship:
When and where is Euro 2025?
Switzerland is playing host to the Women’s Euro for the first time.
The tournament begins in Thun on Wednesday, July 2 and concludes in Basel on Sunday, July 27.
How many countries are participating in the Women’s Euro 2025?
Of the 51 national women’s bodies associated with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), 16 have qualified for the championship.
They will be divided into four groups:
Group A
Switzerland
Norway
Iceland
Finland
Group B
Spain
Portugal
Belgium
Italy
Group C
Germany
Poland
Denmark
Sweden
Group D
France
England
Wales
Netherlands
Which teams are favourites to win Women’s Euro 2025?
Apart from holders England and world champions Spain, former Olympic gold medal winners Germany are firm favourites to lift the trophy. Here’s a brief look at each team’s pedigree:
England: The defending champions will gain confidence from their top rank in UEFA’s rankings heading into the tournament. Under the leadership of their trusted coach, Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses enter the tournament on the back of mixed results in their UEFA Nations League matches. The young-looking squad will lean on the experienced Lucy Bronze, who will be playing in her fourth Euro, as they look to build on the success of their predecessors.
Spain: Arguably the most exciting women’s team to watch thanks to their prowess in front of the goal, Spain are the current world champions. The women in red and gold would like to one up their men’s team of the early 2010s by winning the Euro on top of a World Cup title. La Roja have won five of their six competitive matches in 2025, scoring 21 goals in the process.
Germany: Germans are the undeniable queens of European football, having won the tournament on a whopping eight occasions, including six consecutive titles from 1995 to 2013. Also the world champions twice, they are another in-form team, having won five of their six games in 2025 with 26 goals scored and only three conceded.
Spain will be favourites to add the European title to their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 win [File: Rick Rycroft/AP Photo]
Will Aitana Bonmati play in Euro 2025?
Up until Friday, Bonmati’s participation in the tournament was unquestionable as the superstar midfielder is the centrepiece of the Spanish side. However, the 27-year-old tested positive for viral meningitis and was hospitalised in Madrid.
The Spanish football federation, RFEF, however, is hopeful that the star player will return to the squad in a few days despite not being part of the contingent travelling to Switzerland on Sunday.
“After several days hospitalised with viral meningitis, Aitana Bonmati has been discharged from the hospital and will join the Spanish national team in the coming days,” RFEF said in a brief statement.
The Barcelona player, winner of the Ballon d’Or award in 2023 and 2024, posted a photo from her hospital bed on social media on Sunday, giving a thumbs-up and stating: “Fortunately, everything is going well. I hope to return soon.”
Bonmati has been pivotal for Spain, scoring 30 goals in 78 appearances and helping them win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and last year’s UEFA Nations League.
Gracias a tod@s por los mensajes recibidos y a l@s que me habéis ayudado estos días. Afortunadamente todo va bien, espero volver pronto. 💪🏼⚔️🧠
— Aitana Bonmatí Conca (@AitanaBonmati) June 29, 2025
Who are the key players to watch at Euro 2025?
Ewa Pajor (Poland): The Barcelona forward is ranked among the world’s top strikers and has scored 43 goals in her 45 appearances for the club in the past season. She has won more than 100 caps for her country, scoring 68 goals in the process and has been named the nation’s top women’s player on five occasions. The tournament debutantes will rely on Pajor’s red-hot form to see them through to the knockouts and beyond.
Alexia Putellas (Spain): Arguably one of the greatest women to play the game, Putellas will be the mainstay of Spain’s midfield and attack as the world champions seek a third title. The Barcelona player had another incredible season for the Spanish champions, scoring 17 goals in 25 appearances to add to her control of the team’s midfield. Putellas missed out on the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 and would like to make up for it with a Euro win.
Klara Buhl (Germany): The German winger has been playing for the European giants Bayern Munich since 2020 and has made 102 appearances. Making her international debut in 2019, Buhl has scored 28 goals for Germany in 67 games. She will be among the top young players at the 2025 championship.
Lauren James (England): Another bright young European footballer, James has swiftly climbed up the ranks in Wiegman’s squad. The 23-year-old will have plenty of eyes on her as she leads England’s attack in Switzerland. She scored 22 goals for Chelsea in the last season and has seven goals in 27 international appearances.
Ewa Pajor was instrumental in Poland’s qualification for the Euro championship [File: Lisa Leutner/Reuters]
Who are the past winners of the Women’s Euro championships?
1984: Sweden
1987: Norway
1989: West Germany
1991: West Germany
1993: Norway
1995: Germany
1997: Germany
2001: Germany
2005: Germany
2009: Germany
2013: Germany
2017: Netherlands
2022: England
Germany have won the Women’s Euro a record eight times, with their last win coming in 2013 [File: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]
Where are the Women’s Euro 2025 venues?
From stadiums located in the heart of Switzerland’s main cities, to picturesque arenas sitting in the lap of the Alps, these are the eight venues hosting the championship:
Basel (St Jakob-Park): The venue in Switzerland’s most populous city will host five games, including the home team’s opener, the last quarterfinal and the final. The 35,000-capacity stadium was opened in March 2001 and is the home ground for the city’s eponymous team in the Swiss league.
Bern (Stadion Wankdorf): The 32,000-capacity home of the Young Boys football club was rebuilt on the site of the 1925-built Wankdorf Stadium, which hosted the famous “Miracle of Bern” FIFA World Cup 1954 final between West Germany and Hungary. It will host four Women’s Euro 2025 fixtures, including the third quarterfinal.
Geneva (Stade de Geneve): The venue was one of the co-hosts for the UEFA Euro 2008 and has also held rugby games. In the Women’s Euro 2025, the 30,000-capacity stadium will host five matches, including the first quarterfinal and the first semifinal.
Lucerne (Allmend Stadion): The glittering golden structure of the Swissporarena stands out in the city of Lucerne and is home to its Swiss Super League side. It will host three group-stage games during the tournament.
St Gallen (Arena St Gallen): The venue in the northwest of Switzerland can host close to 20,000 football fans. It will also host three group-stage games.
Sion (Stade de Tourbillon): A picturesque football venue, the Stade de Tourbillon sits amid the Alps, overlooked by two prehistoric castles. It is the smallest venue by capacity, 9,570, and will host three group-stage games.
Thun (Arena Thun): Spectators will have a view of a football match on the field and the Alps in the background when they attend one of the three group-stage games in Thun.
Zurich (Stadion Letzigrund): The Stadion Letzigrund in Switzerland’s largest city will host three group-stage fixtures, as well as the second quarterfinal and the second semifinal. The home ground for two of the city’s football clubs has a capacity of more than 24,000.
A drone view shows the picturesque Arena Thun, one of the venues for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 [File: Denis Balibouse/Reuters]
What is the prize money for the Women’s Euro 2025?
According to UEFA, the total prize pot for the tournament is 41 million euros ($48m), more than double the 16 million euros (about $19m) given in 2022.
The champions can get a maximum of 5.1 million euros (about $6m) if they also win all three of their group-stage matches.
All 16 teams will receive a participation fee of 1.8 million euros ($2.1m).
How to buy tickets for the Women’s Euro 2025?
Tickets for all games go on sale at 09:00 GMT on every match day from the group stage up until the knockouts. They will be available on the UEFA ticketing website and start from 22 Swiss Francs ($27.5) and go up to 90 Swiss Francs ($112).
How to watch Euro 2025?
The tournament will be streamed live on the UEFA.tv website, as well as regional broadcasters and streaming services.
Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text and photo commentary stream for a selection of knockout matches, including the final.
Hosts England won the Women’s Euro 2022 by beating eight-time winners Germany at Wembley Stadium in London on July 31, 2022 [Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo]
What is the format and full match schedule of the Women’s Euro 2025?
Format: All four teams in each of the four groups will play each other once, and the top two teams will progress to the knockout stage, which begins with the quarterfinals.
⚽ Women’s Euro 2025 group stage schedule
Wednesday, July 2 Group A: Iceland vs Finland (16:00 GMT, Thun) Group A: Switzerland vs Norway (19:00 GMT, Basel)
Thursday, July 3 Group B: Belgium vs Italy (16:00 GMT, Sion) Group B: Spain vs Portugal (19:00 GMT, Bern)
Friday, July 4 Group C: Denmark vs Sweden (16:00 GMT, Geneva) Group C: Germany vs Poland (19:00 GMT, St Gallen)
Saturday, July 5 Group D: Wales vs Netherlands (16:00 GMT, Lucerne) Group D: France vs England (19:00 GMT, Zurich)
Sunday, July 6 Group A: Norway vs Finland (16:00 GMT, Sion) Group A: Switzerland vs Iceland (19:00 GMT, Bern)
Monday, July 7 Group B: Spain vs Belgium (16:00 GMT, Thun) Group B: Portugal vs Italy (19:00 GMT, Geneva)
Tuesday, July 8 Group C: Germany vs Denmark (16:00 GMT, Basel) Group C: Poland vs Sweden (19:00 GMT, Lucerne)
Wednesday, July 9 Group D: England vs Netherlands (16:00 GMT, Zurich) Group D: France vs Wales (19:00 GMT, St Gallen)
Thursday, July 10 Group A: Finland vs Switzerland (19:00 GMT, Geneva) Group A: Norway vs Iceland (19:00 GMT, Thun)
Friday, July 11 Group B: Italy vs Spain (19:00 GMT, Bern) Group B: Portugal vs Belgium (19:00 GMT, Sion)
Saturday, July 12 Group C: Sweden vs Germany (19:00 GMT, Zurich) Group C: Poland vs Denmark (19:00 GMT, Lucerne)
Sunday, July 13 Group D: Netherlands vs France (19:00 GMT, Basel) Group D: England vs Wales (19:00 GMT, St Gallen)
⚽ Women’s Euro 2025 quarterfinals
Wednesday, July 16 Winners of Group A vs Runners-up of Group B (Geneva, 19:00 GMT)
Thursday, July 17 Winners of Group C vs Runners-up of Group D (Zurich, 19:00 GMT)
Friday, July 18 Winners of Group B vs Runners-up of Group A (Bern, 19:00 GMT)
Saturday, July 19 Winners of Group D vs Runners-up of Group C (Basel, 19:00 GMT)
⚽ Women’s Euro 2025 semifinals
Tuesday, July 22 Winners of quarterfinal 3 vs winners of quarterfinal 1 (Geneva, 19:00 GMT)
Wednesday, July 23 Winners of quarterfinal 4 vs winners of quarterfinal 2 (Zurich, 19:00 GMT)
⚽ Women’s Euro 2025 final
Sunday, July 27 Winners of semifinal 1 vs winners of semifinal 2 (Basel, 19:00 GMT)
Uefa advanced its assessment date to 1 March rather than June, but the Cas panel found that this change had been properly communicated by Uefa and that Drogheda ought to have known about it.
A majority of the panel also rejected Drogheda’s submissions on alleged unequal treatment by Uefa.
Drogheda, who are currently third in the League of Ireland Premier Division and face Shamrock Rovers on Monday night, also called the decision “unjust”.
“Rules should protect opportunity, not prevent it,” their statement added.
“Especially for community-driven clubs like ours who fight every day to punch above their weight.
“Nevertheless, we accept responsibility. And we’re sorry. But while we are saddened, we are also emboldened.
“We will not let this setback define us. Instead, we will use it as fuel. Our club has never been handed anything and we’ve earned every inch through grit, resilience, and unity. And we will continue to do so.”
Derry City, who Drogheda beat in the FAI Cup final, are unable to join Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in the competition as the deadline for a Uefa licence has passed.
It is the only time the Premier League club has qualified for European football in their 120-year history, but Uefa is set to decide whether they breached its rules on teams under one multi-club ownership structure competing in that competition.
Uefa’s final ruling will centre on American businessman John Textor, owner of Eagle Football – which holds a 43% stake in Palace.
Eagle Football also owns a 77% stake in French side Lyon, who – like Palace – have qualified for next season’s Europa League.
In recent seasons, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been admitted into European competition despite initial concerns over multi-club ownership.
Who: Portugal vs Spain What: UEFA Nations League final Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany When: Sunday, June 8, 2025 – 3pm kickoff (13:00 GMT)
How to follow our coverage: We’ll have all the build-up from 12pm (10:00 GMT) on Al Jazeera Sport.
Portugal, the inaugural winners in 2019, and defending champions Spain have set up one of the most highly anticipated international finals in years as the pair prepare to face off for the UEFA Nations League trophy.
The final not only pits the Iberian rivals together, but also two of football’s greatest talents – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal.
Although at opposing ends of their careers, both were vital in leading their sides to Sunday’s showdown in Munich.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the game – and the mouth-watering prospect of Ronaldo vs Yamal.
How did Portugal reach the Nations League final?
Portugal beat the host nation Germany 2-1 in the first semifinal on Wednesday with Ronaldo scoring the winner.
Liverpool target Florian Wirtz gave the Germans the lead early in the second half before Francisco Conceicao levelled just past the hour mark, with the winner coming five minutes later.
How did Spain fare in their semifinal against France?
Spain and France then served up one of the all-time greats in a 5-4 thriller that saw the latter come from 4-0 and 5-1 down to push the game to the wire.
Yamal scored twice and was the star turn as he outshone the much-lauded French trio of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue – the latter two being fresh from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final victory.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal and France’s Kylian Mbappe were among the headline acts in the Nations League semifinal on Thursday [Annegret Hilse/Reuters]
How important is the UEFA Nations League final?
There is little doubt that both finalists, and the defeated semifinalists, will see these final three games of the 2024-2025 edition of the competition as vital game time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament itself, which runs qualification over a two-year period, has replaced the much-maligned and ever-more meaningless list of friendlies between nations on the continent, providing competitive games to keep club-focused players interested during the global international breaks.
The way the two semifinals have played out has built even greater anticipation for the already notable final, and added weight to the Nations League value as a warm-up competition between the more prestigious World Cups and UEFA European Champions, both of which take place every four years.
On the meeting with Ronaldo in the final, Yamal remarked after the win against France: “Playing against Cristiano? He’s a football legend. I’ll do my job, which is to win the game, and that’s it.”
Is this Lamine Yamal’s moment to shine?
So much of the external focus in the build-up to the game will turn to the showdown between young Barcelona star Yamal and former Real Madrid and Manchester United legend Ronaldo.
Yamal will turn 18 next month and has already stirred imaginations with star turns for the Catalan club over the last two years, helping them to a domestic treble this season. The Barca-born forward also shone for Spain in last summer’s Euro 2024 success, scoring in the semifinal against France – only days before his 17th birthday.
Taking to the field, and battling for the spotlight, with Ronaldo – regarded as arguably the greatest footballer of all time – offers a unique and potentially final chance for Yamal to prove himself against a player who, at 40 years of age, is winding down his career.
Is Yamal in the running for the Ballon d’Or?
With Doue’s rise at PSG this year, and Yamal’s ever-growing stock, the question has now been posed as to whether there is a changing of the guard from Ronaldo and Argentinian legend Lionel Messi as the game’s two best current players.
Both are strong contenders to lift the Ballon d’Or trophy – the award for the global game’s best player each year. Spanish international Rodri is the current holder after helping Manchester City to their unique five-trophy winning year in 2023.
Dembele, Mbappe and his fellow Real star Vinicius Junior will also be in the running for the 2025 award but Sunday’s final could tip the balance in favour of Yamal ahead of the award ceremony in September.
Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, remains integral to Portugal’s plans despite uncertainty about his club future [Angelika Warmuth/Reuters]
What is the latest on Ronaldo’s club future?
Much of the talk heading into the final three games of the UEFA Nations League has focused on Ronaldo’s club future – and whether he would participate at the imminent FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Ronaldo’s time at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League appears to be over following a social media post from the forward following the final day of the competition’s season.
The question remains: Where next for Ronaldo? A host of participants at the Club World Cup are being linked with a move for a player who still grabs the headlines the world over, and it would give FIFA’s attempt to elevate the tournament a much-needed boost.
What happened the last time Portugal played Spain?
Spain won 1-0 in Portugal in a Nations League group stage match in 2022 in the last encounter between the sides.
Alvaro Morata netted the only goal of the game in the 88th minute of the match at Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Spain’s Alvaro Morata, right, celebrates with Nico Williams after scoring in the Nations League match in Portugal in 2022 [Pedro Nunes/Reuters]
Head-to-head – Portugal vs Spain
Although this will be a first meeting for Yamal and Ronaldo, the Spain and Portugal on-field rivalry dates back to a friendly in 1921.
Spain won the fixture 2-1 in December of that year and have claimed victory in 17 of the 34 encounters overall.
Portugal have only recorded six wins against their neighbours, with the last being in a friendly in 2010.
Six of the following seven matches have ended in a draw.
Who did Spain beat in the 2023 Nations final?
Spain – who were defeated finalists in the 2021 edition of the tournament – beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in June 2023.
In the 2021 final, the Spaniards were beaten 2-1 by France, whom they face in Thursday’s second semifinal. Their victory in 2023 ended an 11-year search for silverware.
Who did Portugal beat in the inaugural final?
Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2019 final.
The match itself was played on home soil for the Portuguese at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao, where Goncalo Guedes scored the only goal of the game in the 60th minute.
Possible Portugal and Spain lineups:
Potential Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Neves, Ruben Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva; Trincao, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo
Potential Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Huijsen, Le Normand, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Merino, Pedri; Yamal, N Williams, Oyarzabal
Who: Spain vs France What: UEFA Nations League semifinal Where: Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany When: Thursday, June 5, 2025 – 9pm kickoff (1900 GMT)
How to follow our coverage: We’ll have all the build-up from 6pm (16:00 GMT) on Al Jazeera Sport.
Defending champions Spain face France, the team that beat them in the 2021 final, in the second semifinal of the 2025 UEFA Nations League.
Hosts Germany or inaugural winners Portugal, who play on Wednesday, await in Sunday’s final.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the game, which will provide the second finalist for a tournament that has replaced the ever-devaluing international friendly setup on the continent.
Who did Spain and France beat in the Nations quarterfinals?
Spain beat the Netherlands 5-4 on penalties after their quarterfinal finished 5-5 on aggregate over the two legs.
France also needed penalties to progress from their last-eight tie against Croatia after a 2-2 draw on aggregate. The Croatians had won the first leg 2-0 on home soil.
Both nations topped their League A groups.
What happened the last time Spain played France?
The sides played out a dramatic Euro 2024 semifinal, won by Spain 2-1.
Trailing after Randal Kolo Muani headed in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the ninth minute, Spain turned the match around in a rapid four-minute flurry, scoring twice against a side that had only conceded one goal in five previous games in the tournament.
The match is best remembered for 16-year-old Spain sensation Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest-ever goal scorer at a European championship when he unleashed a mesmerising strike from outside the box in the 21st minute to find the equaliser.
Spain then took the lead for good on 25 minutes when Dani Olmo expertly gathered a loose ball and fired a low shot into the net with the aid of a deflection off Jules Kounde.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal scores the second goal of the match to make it 1-1 during the Euro 2024 semifinal between Spain and France at the Allianz Arena on July 9, 2024, in Munich, Germany [Jussi Eskola/Soccrates via Getty Images]
Who did Spain beat in the 2023 Nations final?
Spain – who were defeated finalists in the 2021 edition of the tournament, which is staged over a two-year period – beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in June 2023.
In the 2021 final, the Spaniards were beaten 2-1 by France, who they face in Thursday’s second semifinal. Their victory in 2023 ended an 11-year search for silverware.
Is this the start of Spain’s resurgence?
Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente’s side going from strength to strength on the international stage before next year’s World Cup.
Their 2023 victory proved the springboard to Euro 2024 glory. Retaining the Nations League would bode well before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer, where Spain will be among the favourites.
After European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, sandwiching their World Cup 2010 triumph in South Africa, the Spanish national team slumped.
Poor outings at the Russia and Qatar World Cups started to fade from memory, though, as De la Fuente’s side beat Italy and Croatia to win the 2023 Nations League.
Spain then beat Italy, Germany and France on the way to the Euro 2024 final, where they got the better of England to claim their first major trophy for 12 years.
The side is very much led by Barcelona’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 on the eve of the Euro final, and on the opposite flank, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, 22, also has his best years ahead of him.
Manchester City’s Rodri, who has yet to return to action after missing most of the season injured, remains Spain’s major headache.
They are blessed with depth, however, most especially in midfield, where former Real Madrid playmaker Isco could be given additional playing time, having helped Real Betis to the UEFA Conference League final this season.
France team news
Out: Camavinga, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano
France are without a quartet of defenders who ply their trade in Europe’s top leagues, with Real Madrid’s Eduard Camavinga, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, Arsenal’s William Saliba and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano all sitting out the game.
Kylian Mbappe of France arrives at Stuttgart Airport on June 4 ahead of the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between France and Spain on June 5 at Stuttgart Arena, Germany [Christian Kaspar-Bartke/UEFA via Getty Images]
The nations have met on 15 occasions, with Spain emerging victorious seven times, including their Euro 2024 win, while France have won six of the encounters.
What the managers said before the semifinal?
Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach: “We have in this tournament the three previous winners of the Nations League, three previous World Cup winners and a previous Euro winner. So you certainly can’t call it a minor tournament, and we place huge importance upon it.
“I’ve always said since I arrived that this tournament is actually more difficult than the Euro in the group stage. We’ll give it everything, and we want to make history by becoming the first team to win the Nations League twice. We will keep competing at the highest level against these teams that could easily be in a World Cup final or another major final tomorrow.”
Didier Deschamps, France coach: “This Spain team have already shown their quality, and they are the best side in Europe and probably the best in the world. They also may have a few players who are fresher. But still, my team always have the ability to maintain a strong collective and technical rhythm.
“I haven’t yet seen a team that has truly found a solution to stop Yamal. Add in the likes of Nico Williams and it’s clear Spain have a lot of pace. But that doesn’t mean we’ll be approaching this match waving the white flag.”
Where will the UEFA Nations League final be staged?
The Allianz Arena in Munich, which was also picked for the first semifinal, will stage the final on Sunday.
Does Nations League success bring World Cup qualification?
The teams that finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying groups in Europe will automatically progress to the FIFA World Cup.
The four highest-placed teams from the Nations League that did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying groups are then given an extra shot at reaching the global game’s showpiece event.
It is an added incentive to all teams as a backup plan should their official World Cup qualifying campaign fall flat.
The UEFA Nations League trophy with official match ball is seen before the UEFA Nations League Finals 2025 at the Munich Football Arena on June 3, 2025, in Munich, Germany [Maja Hitij – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images]
Who: Germany vs Portugal What: UEFA Nations League semifinal When: Wednesday Where: Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany
How to follow our coverage: We’ll have all the build-up from 6pm (16:00 GMT) on Al Jazeera Sport.
Hosts Germany and Portugal, the winners of the 2019 inaugural edition, face off in the first of the UEFA Nations League semifinals.
Holders Spain and France play in the other tie on Thursday with their match being played in Stuttgart.
Al Jazeera Sport looks at the first of the games and where the tournament itself ranks:
What is the UEFA Nations League?
The competition was formed to give more meaning to international matches played outside the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships.
Instead of a flow of international friendlies, which had become devalued by players and fans alike, nations now compete in a structured format that ends in a country being crowned Nations League champions.
Does Nations League success bring World Cup qualification?
The teams that finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying groups in Europe will automatically progress to the FIFA World Cup.
The four highest placed teams from the Nations League that did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying groups are then given an extra shot at reaching the global game’s showpiece event.
It is an added incentive to all teams as a back-up plan should their official World Cup qualifying campaign fall flat.
How is the Nations League structured?
There are four groups in League A of the Nations League, four in League B and four in League C.
The top two teams from each of the League A groups qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, which begins at the quarterfinals stage. Leagues B and C try to gain promotion to League A to incentivise all teams in their international match-ups and to offer the chance of reaching the final and lifting the trophy to all.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star posted on social media on the final day of the Saudi Pro League that his time with Saudi Arabian top-flight team Al Nassr had come to an end.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had already revealed that talks were under way for a loan for Ronaldo to play for one of the teams competing at the competition being staged in the United States.
A star performance by the 40-year-old in the semifinal and potential final of the Nations League would significantly up the stakes for his next move – and his potential late arrival as a headline act at the Club World Cup.
Who did Portugal beat in the inaugural final?
Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2019 final.
The match itself was played on home soil for the Portuguese at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao, where Goncalo Guedes scored the only goal of the game in the 60th minute.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates celebrate winning the UEFA Nations League final in 2019 [File: Carl Recine/Reuters]
What the managers said before the semifinal?
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany coach: “The goal is to win the Nations League title. We want to perform, deliver results and win titles, and for us as a group, it’s very important. Spain proved how important this tournament can be when they won it before triumphing at Euro 2024. When I look at the faces of our players, I see motivation and excitement. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere in the stadium.”
Roberto Martinez, Portugal coach: “There aren’t many opportunities in international football to win trophies, and there is nothing better than doing so. The important thing is that we are here, and the final four is where we have to be. This team have shown significant resilience over these two and a half years, and facing teams like Germany, followed by maybe Spain or France, are perfect challenges to continue preparing the team for the World Cup.”
Head-to-head
This will be the 12th time that the two nations have met. Germany has won on seven occasions, and Portugal has recorded just one win.
The Germans have won the last five encounters, which had all been at either FIFA World Cups or UEFA European Championships.
Portugal’s last win came in the group stage of Euro 2000 with Sergio Conceicao scoring all the goals in a 3-0 victory against the then-holders, who were eliminated.
The Germans have since exacted a heavy revenge on the Portuguese, including a 4-2 group stage win in their last encounter in 2021 at the delayed Euro 2020 championships.
Germany’s Kai Havertz, left, scored the last time Germany played Portugal at Euro 2020 in Munich, Germany on June 19, 2021. Germany won the group match 4-2 [Federico Gambarini/Picture alliance via Getty Images]
Where will the Nations League final be staged?
The Allianz Arena, which is also hosting the first semifinal, will also stage the final on Sunday.
Germany have a string of injuries but do welcome back long-term absentee Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
Who replaces Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala in midfield will be one of the key questions, but the absences of Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal forward Kai Harvertz will also be heavily felt.
Portugal team news
Out: Cancelo
Portugal are boosted by an almost fully fit squad with only Al Hilal defender Joao Cancelo leaving a void to be filled.
Possible Germany and Portugal lineups:
Possible Germany XI: ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Koch, Raum; Goretzka, Gross; Adeyemi, Wirtz, Sane; Fullkrug
Possible Portugal XI: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, Neves; Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
Nedum Onuoha and Nicky Bandini praise the maturity shown by Desire Doue as the 19-year-old becomes the youngest player to score two goals in a Champions League final as Paris Saint-Germain defeat Inter Milan 5-0 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
