Get ready for a thrilling weekend in football! The Women`s Euro final takes center stage, alongside major European clubs kicking off their preseason tours in the U.S. and Asia. Here`s a quick guide to the action ahead.
Upcoming Matches
All times U.S./Eastern
- Friday, July 25
- 🌍 WAFCON third place: Ghana vs. South Africa, 3 p.m.
- 🇺🇸 MLS: Columbus Crew vs. Orlando City, 7:30 p.m.
- 🌎 Copa America Femenina: Brazil vs. Colombia, 8 p.m.
- 🌎 Copa America Femenina: Paraguay vs. Venezuela, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 26
- 🌍 Friendly: Liverpool vs. AC Milan, 7:30 a.m.
- 🏆 WAFCON final: Morocco vs. Nigeria, 4 p.m.
- 🌍 Friendly: Manchester United vs. West Ham, 7 p.m.
- 🇺🇸 MLS: Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:15 p.m.
- Sunday, July 27
- 🌍 Friendly: Arsenal vs. Newcastle United, 7:30 a.m.
- 🏆 Women`s Euro final: England vs. Spain, 12 p.m.
The Forward Line
England, Spain Meet Again for Women`s Euro Title
A rematch of the Women`s World Cup final is set for the Women`s Euro championship, as England and Spain prepare to clash. Both teams enter the final with something to prove following intense semifinal victories.
Spain, widely favored, aims for their first European title. Their journey through the tournament saw them largely dominate, showcasing their signature passing and attacking style, outscoring opponents 16-3 in the first four games. However, their semifinal against Germany proved a tougher challenge. Germany`s strong defensive organization held them at bay for 120 minutes, despite key player absences. Spain found their breakthrough late in extra time with Aitana Bonmati`s moment of brilliance, catching the German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger off guard with an angled shot.
Bonmati remarked: “The truth is that we had studied it. Well, Marisa, the goalkeeper coach, had told me that she made certain movements and that sometimes she left the near post clear and that`s how it was. I didn`t think about taking that shot twice because I didn`t want it to reach penalties. Scoring in a game like this one is super special and if I can help the team writing history, it`s very special. For the first time we have beaten Germany with the women`s national team, and for the first time we are in the final of the Euros. We have written history.”
England is unlikely to face such a defensive wall. Despite reaching the final, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding six goals in five games and coming from behind in three matches. These instances highlight both their weaknesses and their remarkable attacking resilience. Coach Sarina Wiegman`s strategic substitutions, including 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang and 2022 Euro final scorer Chloe Kelly, have proven highly effective.
Wiegman commented on her players` readiness: “The substitutes are just ready to go, and they want to have a contribution. And I think everyone accepts her role, whatever role she`s given. I think what we try to do is give as much clarity about that, but also the task on the pitch when you come in and when we make a change, or when we make a shape change, and there`s just so much energy.”
The victor of this final will solidify their position as a top contender for the Women`s World Cup in Brazil in two years. In the immediate future, England seeks consecutive European championships, while Spain aims for their inaugural title, striving to build a lasting dynasty after their recent World Cup triumph.
Midfield Link Play
Europe`s Globetrotting Clubs Continue Preseason Prep
Several top European clubs have embarked on their preseason tours across the U.S. and Asia this weekend, offering initial insights into their preparations for the upcoming season.
Liverpool kicks off their Asian tour on Saturday against AC Milan, fresh off signing forward Hugo Ekitike in a deal potentially exceeding $100 million. While Ekitike might not heavily feature in the Hong Kong friendly, the Reds will showcase other new talents, notably Florian Wirtz. Milan, meanwhile, recently lost 1-0 to Arsenal in Singapore, providing an early look at new manager Massimiliano Allegri`s strategies, which may include a new role for Christian Pulisic. The U.S. international played as a forward alongside Rafael Leao in a 3-5-2 formation, a potential solution as Milan seeks a new striker.
Francesco Porzio noted: “Pulisic played on the left side of the attack, and most of his 34 touches in the first half arrived on that portion of the field, where his natural role is, even if at AC Milan, he mostly played as a right winger in the 4-3-3 over the last two years. This role can also help Portuguese winger Leao to be free to move around the attack with no defensive responsibilities. This could all change if AC Milan sign a new striker or when Gimenez returns, but Leao looked definitely comfortable playing in this role and maybe playing with a proper number nine next to him can improve his performances even more.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal returns to action in Singapore on Sunday, facing fellow Premier League side Newcastle United, who may surprise with a new look of their own. Star striker Alexander Isak has reportedly not joined the trip amid reports that he wants out, with Liverpool rumored as a potential suitor even though they just signed Ekitike this week. As Chuck Booth writes, this leaves Newcastle understaffed at a crucial point of their preseason and in a very different position than the team would like to be – higher-ups once reportedly envisioned a team that would include both Isak and Ekitike, though they might be without both by summer`s end.
Chuck Booth detailed Newcastle`s striker situation: “They`ve done good business, adding Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, but the number nine has no true depth behind Isak. William Osula is the only true striker left on the roster with Callum Wilson`s departure. At 21, Osula has talent, but he has only scored one Premier League goal in his career despite making 35 appearances. Even looking at his entire career between Sheffield United, Derby County, and Newcastle, Osula only has 10 goals and three assists in all professional competitions that he has been involved in.”
In New Jersey, Manchester United will prepare for their first full season with manager Ruben Amorim with a friendly against West Ham United, an important measuring stick for the Red Devils after a brutal 2024-25 campaign. United have refreshed with new signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeuemo, who could begin answering questions about how quickly they will settle into the team as they begin yet another course correcting project.
Top Stories in Football
- Women`s Euro Final Preview: What England needs to do to overcome favored Spain and win a second consecutive European title.
- Ekitike to Liverpool: Analysis on why Hugo Ekitike is a perfect fit for Liverpool`s attacking ambitions under Arne Slot.
- Arsenal`s Missing Piece: Their attacking struggles against AC Milan highlight the potential need for a striker like Viktor Gyokeres.
- Messi Skips All-Star Game: Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba missed the MLS All-Star Game, potentially risking a one-match suspension for Inter Miami`s upcoming game against FC Cincinnati.
- Davor Suker on Morning Footy: Former Croatia international Davor Suker discussed the best players he`s played with and how to accelerate soccer`s growth in the U.S.
The Back Line
Betting Insights
For the Women`s Euro final between England and Spain, analytical insights suggest Esther Gonzalez as a key player to watch. Both teams excel in attack, promising an exciting match. Spain holds an edge given England`s shaky defense throughout the tournament, conceding six goals in five games and falling behind in three matches. If this pattern continues, Spain is well-positioned to capitalize. With top attackers like Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, Esther Gonzalez has been particularly consistent, scoring four goals in Switzerland. Her impressive form extends to the NWSL, where she leads with 10 goals in 13 games. Sunday`s final presents an opportunity for Gonzalez to play a decisive role in Spain`s pursuit of their first European championship.
