NWSL Euro 2025 Roundup: Esther Gonzalez brace powers Spain rout | OneFootball

The Women’s Euro in Switzerland is off to a strong start, and players from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) are already making their presence felt on the continental stage.

Among the standouts is Gotham FC’s Spanish striker Esther González, who stole the spotlight in Spain’s commanding 5–0 victory over Portugal by scoring twice.

Esther wasted no time, opening the scoring in the second minute with her trademark poacher’s instinct. She struck again in the 43rd with a psychological blow just before halftime, capping off a dream first half.

With 10 goals at the midpoint of the NWSL season, the 2023 World Cup winner continues to shine at the international level. She was subbed off in the 66th minute for Salma Paralluelo after a stellar performance in Spain’s tournament debut.

Group A: Angel City duo helps Finland keep clean sheet

Elsewhere in Group A, Iceland and Finland battled in a tightly contested match that ended in a 0–1 win for the Finns, thanks to a goal from Katariina Kosola. The NWSL’s influence was once again on display, with Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir starting for Iceland and Natalia Kuikka, both from Angel City, anchoring Finland’s back line. Both players went the full 90 minutes, showing grit, stamina, and defensive strength.

The result left Iceland at the bottom of the group following Norway’s 2–1 win over Switzerland. Swiss forward Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, of Seattle Reign and former Champions League and Liga F winner with FC Barcelona, made a brief appearance off the bench in the 87th minute. The veteran attacker had little time to influence the match.

Group B: Spirit's Cantore help Italy to crucial win

In Group B, Italy and Belgium faced off in what could prove to be a decisive clash in the race for second place, with Spain expected to top the group.

Italy came out on top, climbing to second place behind the creativity of Sofia Cantore, one of the summer’s headline signings. The 25-year-old forward, who recently joined the Washington Spirit from Juventus in a million-dollar deal, became the first Italian to join the NWSL. She started the match and showcased her technical ability and vision before being subbed off in the 77th minute for Cambiaghi

The Spain–Portugal match also brought an intriguing club-vs-club storyline, as Gotham FC teammates González and Jéssica Silva faced off on opposite sides. While Silva fought hard for Portugal, the night belonged to Esther.

These early matches have made one thing clear: the NWSL is not just a cornerstone of women’s soccer in the U.S., but its stars are also making a major impact on Europe’s biggest stage