Belgium 0-1 Italy result - Arianna Caruso goal gives Le Azzurre a winning start to Women's Euro in Group B

Italy made a winning start to Euro 2025, as Arianna Caruso's goal secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Sion.

Caruso struck what proved to be the winner just before half-time of the Group B opener in Sion.

A generally low-key first half at Stade de Tourbillon burst into life in the 40th minute, when Belgian skipper Tessa Wullaert swept a shot marginally wide of the near post.

Italy took advantage to break the deadlock four minutes later as Lucia De Guglielmo found Caruso, who took a couple of touches to steady herself before whipping home.

Le Azzurre almost doubled their advantage in the 64th minute when Elisabetta Oliviero's cross was glanced on by Emma Severini, but Belgium goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus produced a smart reflex save to keep out Cristina Girelli's close-range flick.

Substitute Michela Cambiaghi curled narrowly wide as Italy continued to push for the second goal, but with Belgium struggling to generate a decent attacking threat, the sole strike was enough to get them over the line.

Ex-England captain Fara Williams is backing the Lionesses to successfully defend their European Championship crown in Switzerland.

Williams was speaking alongside former team-mate Karen Carney.

Le Azzurre are making their eighth successive appearance at the Euros, though not since 2009 had they started a campaign with victory.

Not only that, but they had lost each of their last three meetings with Belgium, including a 1-0 reverse at this stage of the 2022 finals.

It was a game of few opportunities in Sion and generally lacking in quality, though that one spark proved crucial in the Group B opener with Caruso firing home what proved to be the winner.

Italy subsequently managed the second half well to eventually secure the result, and give them plenty of confidence ahead of facing Portugal on Monday.

Meanwhile, Belgium are now already playing catch-up, and that is not a position they wanted to be in ahead of playing world champions Spain in their second match.

Belgium 0-1 Italy

Le Azzurre have the ball near the corner flag, and are keeping it well.

They are almost over the line...

A long ball forward by Belgium is flicked on by Van Kerkhoven.

However, Giuliani is quickly off her line to collect.

We are going to play an additional nine minutes at the end of this game.

There is still plenty of time for Belgium...

Cambiaghi neatly works space to get a shot away from a tight angle.

It is creeping towards the far corner, and Lichtfus takes no second chances.

Belgium's final throw of the dice sees them introduce Van Kerkhoven and De Caigny in place of Deloose and Vanhaevermaet.

Belgium had won their three previous meetings with Italy, but Le Azzurre look like they will stop the rot here...

Kees' frustration shows as she clatters into Cambiaghi during an aerial challenge.

The Belgium defender can have no complaints as her name is taken.

A neat throughball slips Cambiaghi in behind the defence.

The substitute looks for the far corner with precision, but bends her shot just wide of the target.

That could have sealed the points for Italy...

Giuliani takes a knock as she goes down to retrieve the ball, and the Italy goalkeeper is subsequently tended to.

Thankfully, she eventually returns to her feet.

Meanwhile, Belgium make a change with Dhont coming on for Eurlings.

Lenzini and Cantore are given a breather by Italy, with Piga and Cambiaghi coming on in their places.

Can Belgium find an equaliser, or will Italy hold out for all three points?

Belgium turn to the bench with a couple of substitutions.

Janssens and Toloba are withdrawn in favour of Wijnants and Detruyer.

Oliviero's cross is glanced on at the near post by Severeni towards Girelli.

The Italy skipper flicks the ball towards goal inside the six-yard box, but Lichtfus is alert to keep it out.

There is a concern for Belgium as Tysiak stays down after colliding with team-mate Deloose while clearing the ball.

The medical team are on to tend to the centre-half, who will hope she can continue here.