Already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, Spain rotated their squad but kept Mariona Caldentey in the starting XI for their final group match against Italy. 

Italy struck first through Elisabetta Oliviero after a chaotic moment in the Spanish box, briefly overtaking Spain at the top of the group. But the lead was short-lived. A moment of magic from Alexia Putellas — a deft backheel in a crowded area — found Athenea del Castillo, who rifled the equaliser into the top corner with conviction.

Italy thought they had won a penalty after VAR spotted a handball by Irene Paredes, but the decision was ruled out for an earlier offside. Spain regained their rhythm in the second half, and when a loose clearance fell kindly to Patri Guijarro, she curled in a stunning outside-of-the-boot strike to give Spain the lead.

Caldentey, as ever, was a calm, connective presence in the forward line — linking midfield and attack with subtle movement and sharp passing. She was replaced by Claudia Pina in the 76th minute after another steady shift.

Spain rounded off the match with a third — a perfectly timed cross from Putellas met by the run of Esther González to cap a 3-1 victory. With 14 goals in the group stage, Spain now match England’s record and send a clear message of intent heading into the knockouts.

Next, Caldentey and Spain will take on Lia Wälti’s Switzerland in what promises to be a tactical and high-quality quarter-final clash.