Italy need a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive, while France can seal top spot in Group D by beating Belgium at New York Stadium.
Italy vs Iceland: Bertolini hopes Italy can ‘learn from mistakes’
The race for second place in Group D remains open, with France looking well positioned to clinch top spot. Both Italy and Iceland will continue to think about their chances of qualifying and will see the Matchday 2 match as their best opportunity to exert some control over the conduct of the group stage.
Italy, who suffered a blistering loss to France in their opening game, can take some credit for a much-improved performance in the second half even though the result was well beyond them at half-time. Iceland will correctly view this game as their most winnable match before taking on France on July 18.
Italy coach Milena Bertolini said: “We knew that a win or even a draw against France would be difficult, so the focus now is on the next two games.
“The response in the second half against France was good. We need to understand what went wrong, learn from our mistakes, work hard and look forward. The next two games are crucial.”
Iceland head coach Thorsteinn Halldorsson said: “The Italian team is very organized, especially defensively. They don’t necessarily score a lot of goals, but they are very disciplined and quick to turn things around and attack hard.”
“We still have the future in our hands and that’s the situation we want to be in. We’re excited to play tomorrow and we’re well prepared.”
France vs Belgium: France determined to deliver, says Diacre
Paris Saint-Germain’s Grace Geyoro scored a first-half hat-trick as France got off to a dream start to Euro 2022 by defeating Italy 5-1 in their opening match at New York’s Rotherham Stadium; they are now in a commanding position in Group D.
Head coach Corinne Diacre has said her players remain “focused and determined”, despite taking only 45 minutes to dismantle Le Azzurre on Sunday.
Les Bleues have a chance to secure qualification with a game to spare should they emerge victorious over Belgium on Thursday, which is Bastille Day.
Diacre said: “We are ready for anything. We have worked on various things. We have been working on this for a while because we are facing teams like Belgium in the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup.”
“We are like on the eve of the first game: focused, determined. After the Italy game, I didn’t need to talk much. The girls know what they have to do. Honestly, I didn’t need to say nothing.”
Belgium coach Ives Serneels said: “We will have to make the most of the few chances we get [against France]. We think we can hurt them in some situations, but we will have to defend as a block against this French side.
“Are we going to play with an extra defender? That’s one option, but if we defend too deep we’re going to be completely trapped in front of our own goal and I also want my team to offer something in attack as well. Can we cause a nuisance? We have to believe that.”
Follow Euro 2022 through Sky Sports
Stay up to date with the latest from Euro 2022 via Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be provided by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, along with Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. For their part, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
Pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where the matches are played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will change its name for the tournament to Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews, as well as robust tournament programming.
Eurocopa 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
B Group: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Eurocopa 2022: The calendar…
group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England 1-0 Austria
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland
friday july 8
B Group: Spain 4-1 Finland
B Group: Germany 4-0 Denmark
saturday july 9
Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden
sunday july 10
Group D: Belgium 1-1 Iceland
Group D: France 5-1 Italy
monday july 11
Group A: Austria 2-0 Northern Ireland
Group A: England 8-0 Norway
tuesday july 12
B Group: Denmark 1-0 Finland
B Group: Germany 2-0 Spain
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden 2-1 Switzerland
Group C: Netherlands 3-2 Portugal
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy vs Iceland – kick-off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
friday july 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick-off 8pm, St Mary’s
Group A: Austria vs Norway – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
saturday july 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
sunday july 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick-off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – kick-off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
monday july 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
knockout stage
Quarter finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter Final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick-off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – kick-off 8pm, London Community Stadium
friday july 22
Quarter Final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarterfinals 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8 pm, New York Stadium
semifinals
tuesday july 26
Semi-Final 1: Quarter-Final Winners 1 v Quarter-Final Winners 3 – kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-Final 2: Quarter-Final Winners 2 v Quarter-Final Winners 4 – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
sunday july 31
Semi-final winners 1 v Semi-final winners 2 – kick-off 5pm, Wembley