The Euro 2025 tournament has reached the quarter-final stage, with eight teams remaining in contention for the coveted title, to be decided at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on July 27.
Defending champions England are among the quarter-finalists, and their progress will be tested against Sweden in a highly anticipated match.
BBC Sport’s football analyst, Rachel Brown-Finnis, offers her predictions for all 31 matches of the tournament held in Switzerland.
In the final round of group stage matches, Brown-Finnis accurately predicted four out of eight outcomes, bringing her overall prediction accuracy to 67% (16 out of 24 matches).
One notable upset was Sweden’s 4-1 victory over Germany, which defied expectations. Only 13% of voters anticipated a Swedish win, and a single individual correctly predicted the exact scoreline.
Viewers also achieved a 4/8 score in that match set, thus mirroring Brown-Finnis’ overall accuracy rate of 67% after the group phase.
The quarter-finals present a new opportunity to test your predictive skills against our expert. Share your forecasts for the upcoming matches, including the clash between world champions Spain and host nation Switzerland, below.
Prior to the tournament, Brown-Finnis correctly identified seven of the eight teams that advanced to the knockout stage, and she anticipates that England will emerge as the ultimate victor.
This is a tough call. Both teams have impressed me while watching them live in Switzerland.
Italy performed strongly in their final Group B match against Spain, displaying defensive solidity and posing a threat in attack, and will aim for a similar performance here.
Andrea Soncin’s team took an early lead against the world champions, and although they ultimately lost 3-1, their performance surprised Spain and many neutral observers.
Italy’s tight defensive setup and effective counter-attacks allowed them to pressure Spain, exposing vulnerabilities in their game.
Given Spain’s usual dominance in possession, Italy may adjust their tactics. However, I still anticipate a well-organized Italian side.
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Spain earn hard-fought win over Italy
Norway enters the match in good form, having secured a perfect record to top Group A.
Their performance has improved as the tournament has progressed, showing marked improvement since a lackluster first half against Switzerland.
Historically, Norway would be considered favorites in this fixture, but Italy’s two draws against them in the qualifying stage suggest a more balanced contest.
I anticipate a closely contested match that may extend into extra time, but I believe Italy will ultimately prevail, securing a significant victory.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 1-2 after extra time.
17 July, 20:00 BST
Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
World ranking: 6th v 5th
Best previous Euros finish: Sweden – winners in 1984. England – winners in 2022.
Watch live on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Live commentary on Radio 5 Live.
Sweden will undoubtedly seek retribution for their 4-0 semi-final defeat at Euro 2022, where England dominated them.
Their impressive performance in topping Group C, including a 4-1 victory over Germany, demonstrates their current strength.
Sweden has only conceded one goal thus far, and even in matches where their performance has been less convincing, such as their opener against Denmark, they have still secured the win.
This match will pose a significant challenge for England, but I believe the Lionesses possess the necessary quality to advance. Their performances against the Netherlands and Wales have demonstrated their capabilities.
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England thrash Wales to seal quarter-final spot
If England performs at their peak, I believe they will have too much for Sweden in all aspects of the game.
Their two draws in the qualifying stage are less relevant now that the tournament has reached the knockout phase, which demands different qualities.
England has already experienced a virtual knockout game against the Netherlands, where a loss would have meant elimination.
We saw how Sarina Wiegman’s team responded, and the high-stakes scenario brought out their best qualities.
As a co-commentator on this match, I anticipate a similar performance from England, with another full-throttle display.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 1-3
18 July, 20:00 BST
Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
World ranking: 2nd v 23rd
Best previous Euros finish: Spain – semi-finals in 1997. Switzerland – groups in 2017 & 2022.
Watch live on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Live commentary on Radio 5 Live.
As a co-commentator on this game as well, the contrast between Spain and Switzerland is the starkest of all the quarter-finals.
Spain are clear favourites for a reason. The world champions will win and probably score a few more goals, after hitting 14 in the group stage, so Switzerland need to try and hold out for as long as they can.
There have already been big celebrations here because the Swiss have got through to a knockout stage of a Euros for the first time.
So, this tournament has already been a success for them on the pitch as well as off it, with record digital viewing figures and the attendances at games., external
This feels like the last stand for the hosts because they won’t keep Spain out, but I am going to say the Swiss will score too – that is unlikely to happen, but I really want them to end these Euros with something to smile about.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 4-1
19 July, 20:00 BST
St Jakob-Park, Basel
World ranking: 10th v 3rd
Best previous Euros finish: France – semi-finals in 2022. Germany – Eight-time winners between 1989 & 2013.
Live commentary on Radio 5 Live.
What a tie this is.
Along with Norway, Spain and Sweden, France got through their group with a 100% record, which means they have won all 11 games they have played this year.
Germany, in contrast, will still be stinging from their 4-1 defeat to Sweden – something no-one saw coming, well apart from the one reader who predicted it. I feel a bit better about getting that one wrong now.
As united as England’s team performances have been here so far, Germany’s display in that game felt like far more of a scattergun approach.
Carlotta Wamser’s red card clearly didn’t help but they looked surprisingly disjointed, lacked organisation and discipline in transition, and their passing was all over the place.
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Sweden victory puts them above Germany in Group C
I know what a Germany reaction looks and feels like, however, and that is what I am expecting France to feel the full force of here.
A bit like the response we saw from England against the Netherlands after their defeat by France, Germany will know they need to be so much better in every department or they are going home.
From the semi-finals of Euro 2022 to the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup, Germany always seem to get the better of France in knockout football and I don’t see that changing here.
France’s attack has helped light up this tournament and of course they won’t go out without a fight, but Germany will have a huge following in Basel and I think their fans will be the ones celebrating in the end.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 1-2 after extra time.
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