Women's EURO qualifiers: England held, big Spain win and Germany comeback | OneFootball

The qualifying for the 2025 Women’s European Championship kicked off tonight, with games taking place across the continent.

Portugal coast past Bosnia-Herzegovina

Scorers: Costa 28′, Sliskovic 45+4′, Silva 62′

Portugal got their European Championship qualifying campaign off to an ideal start with a dominant 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The visitors held out for 28 minutes before Carole Costa broke their resistance. Things were made even harder deep into first-half injury time when Gloria Sliskovic turned the ball into her own net.

Diana Silva rounded things off with the third just after the hour, sealing the three points for her side.

France squeeze past resolute Ireland in Metz

Scorers: Katoto 6′

A resolute Irish side made France work for a narrow 1-0 win in Metz.

It appeared it would be a long night for Eileen Gleeson’s side when they fell behind after just six minutes to a Marie-Antoinette Katoto strike.

However, they stayed in the game and could have grabbed an equaliser late on. It was not meant to be but they will take great heart from their showing against a side ranked third in the world.

England struggle to draw with Sweden at Wembley

Scorers: Russo 25′; Rolfo 64′

Defending European champions, England, got their 2025 qualifying campaign off to a disappointing start against a spirited Sweden side.

The Lionesses were not at their best throughout but did take the lead in the 25th minute. Lauren James beat her marker in typically brilliant style before whipping a cross in for Alessia Russo to power a header home.

The goal did not hugely settle the nerves at Wembley from both the players and those in the stands, and Sweden managed to not just stay in the game, but find an equaliser in the second half.

Some neat interplay between Stina Blackstenius and Rosa Kafaji resulted in the latter putting the ball on a plate for Fridolina Rolfo to head home.

Blackstenius had a great chance to put her side in front shortly after but missed when one-on-one with Mary Earps.

England could have stolen a winner late on, Lauren Hemp seeing her effort cleared off the line, but a draw was no less than the Swedes deserved.

Stunning Spain hit Belgium for seven

Scorers: Paralluelo 8′, 30′, 47′, Hermoso 15′, González 64′, 90′, García 86′

Spain showed why they are the best team in the world with a dominant 6-0 win against Belgium.

The rout started after just eight minutes, Salma Paralluelo finishing smartly inside the box. Jenni Hermoso made it two after 15 minutes before Paralluelo completed her hat-trick with strikes on the half hour and just after the break.

With the game over as a contest, they dded further gloss to their victory with goals from Esther González (2) and Sheila García.

It is now 13 wins in a row for the Spanish and it will take a top team to knock off Montse Tome’s side.

Germany seal brilliant comeback win in derby clash

Scorers: Campbell 9′, 16′; Bühl 39′, 49′, Gwinn (pen) 63′

Germany bounced back from going two down inside 16 minutes to defeat Austria 3-2 in Linz.

Eileen Campbell was the star for the Austrians, scoring twice from inside the box to get her side off to a dream start.

The visitors rallied, however, Klara Bühl scoring either side of half-time to level the score before Giulia Gwinn completed the comeback from the penalty spot.

Wilkinson and Wales get off to a flier with big win

Scorers: Fishlock 4′, 49′, Rowe 51′, James 56′

Rhian Wilkinson got her reign as Wales manager off to the dream start with a -0 win over Croatia in Wrexham.

The scoring was opened inside four minutes, Jess Fishlock coolly finishing inside the box after great work from Rachel Rowe.

The midfielder then grabbed her second early into the second half,  heading in from close range after her chip bounced off the crossbar.

That was quickly followed by strikes from Rowe and James as Wales’ latest bid to qualify for their first-ever tournament started in style.

Northern Ireland labour to disappointing draw with Malta

Northern Ireland got their campaign off to a disappointing draw at home with Malta.

They struggled to break down the 87th ranked side in the world throughout, with Simone Magill coming closest with a goal ruled out for handball.

She also had a late penalty claim waived away as Tanya Helen Oxtoby’s side toiled in Belfast.

Italy make light work of the Netherlands

Scorers: Giacinti 4′, Bonfantini 59′

Italy got their qualifying campaign off to a flier with an impressive 2-0 win against the Netherlands in Cosenza.

It took just four minutes for them to open the scoring, Valentina Giacinti peeling off a Dutch defender and ruthlessly finishing after a lovely pass from Manuela Giugliano.

The Italians sealed the points just before the hour, Agnense Bonfantini finishing from close range.

Serbia and Scotland can’t be separated

Serbia and Scotland could not be separated in Leskovac as both sides kicked off their qualifying campaigns with a point.

Both sides had several chances, with Jane Ross almost nicking a win for the Scots, hitting the bar early into the second half.

In truth, it would have been harsh on the Serbs, and a draw was a fair result.