Belgium and France to begin their Euro 22 campaigns
Free-scoring Belgium and miserly France join the Euro 2022 party on Sunday as Group D finally gets under way.
The Belgians launch their campaign against Iceland at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, while the French go head-to-head with Italy at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look of what lies ahead on day five of the finals.
Going for goals
T-1. Final press talk. Tomorrow we let the feet talk. 🎙🇧🇪 #FLAMETIME pic.twitter.com/KMSPbEOTcr
— Belgian Red Flames (@BelRedFlames) July 9, 2022
Belgium’s 15 matches during the 2021-22 campaign yielded no fewer than 63 goals, and a continuation of that form would give them every chance of making it to the knockout stage at a major tournament for the first time.
However, in Iceland they will face opponents who successfully negotiated the group stage in 2013 and are competing at their fourth successive Euros.
None shall pass
We are here, 🇫🇷 is ready.
Everyone is #FiersdetreBleues for the @WEuro2022 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MMW0Ynj1rJ— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) July 7, 2022
France made it through their eight Group G qualifiers without conceding a single goal and will head into their battle with Italy determined to extend that record.
However the Italians, with seven Juventus players in their squad, made it to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2019 and will have high hopes of denting French hopes.
As you were
⏰ 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧 ⏰
🇳🇱🇸🇪 Jill Roord cancelled out Jonna Andersson's first-half goal as @oranjevrouwen and @svenskfotboll share the spoils 🤝#WEURO2022— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 9, 2022
All four teams in Group C emerged from the opening round of fixtures on Saturday with something to show for their efforts.
Reigning champions the Netherlands needed a second-half equaliser from Jill Roord to cancel out Jonna Andersson’s opener as they drew 1-1 with Sweden at Bramall Lane.
Switzerland, who led Portugal 2-0 after five minutes courtesy of goals from Coumba Sow and Rahel Kiwic, had to make do with a point after Diana Gomes and Jessica Silva hit back a Leigh Sports Village.
Ton up
Reaching a 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙮 👊 Lia Wälti earns cap number 💯 for 🇨🇭 at #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/l3keBebpJA
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 9, 2022
Skipper Lia Walti will have cause to remember Switzerland’s opening game with particular fondness despite their failure to hang on to their lead.
The Arsenal midfielder, described by Swiss coach Nils Nielsen as the “brain, heart and soul” of his team, won her 100th cap against Portugal.
Stat of the day
Picture of the day
Quote of the day
This is Portugal: a Portugal with soul, the fighting spirit.
Portugal striker Jessica Silva
Up next
July 11Group A: Austria v Northern Ireland (5pm, St Mary’s Stadium)Group A: England v Norway (8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium)
