Spain spank Portugal 5-0 in UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 opener | OneFootball

World champions Spain proved far too strong for Portugal in the Women’s Euro Group B encounter between the Iberian neighbours in Bern tonight.

A nightmare start for the Portuguese saw the Seleção two goals down after just seven minutes, Esther González and Vicky López both finding the net with Spain’s first two attempts at goal.

In a one-sided first half, Spain were camped in Portugal’s defensive half of the pitch, and another quickfire double shortly before the break ended any hopes Francisco Neto’s team may have harboured of avoiding defeat. A classy Alexia Putellas goal and a González tap-in made it 4-0 at the break.

Portugal improved substantially in the second half, with Ana Capeta close to pulling a goal back, but Benfica’s Cristina Martín-Prieto put the final nail in the coffin by scoring Spain’s fifth goal in stoppage time.

The Seleção next play Italy on Monday 7 July, the Italians having won their first game 1-0 against Belgium earlier in the day.

Francisco Neto, Portugal coach:

“We didn’t play well in the first half. We came into the match afraid and showing too much respect. We weren’t able to show enough intensity and it’s my fault because I didn’t manage to unburden the players.

“We corrected things at the break and we controlled Spain’s breaking of the lines better and got the timing of our pressing right. We managed to put together more counter-attacks and create opportunities. Spain’s victory is undisputable, but the result is harsh given what we did in the second half.”

Spain: Adriana Nanclares, Ona Batlle (Jana Fernandez, 66’), Laia Aleixandri, María Méndez, Olga Carmona, Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas, Vicky López (Aitana Bonmatí, 81’), Mariona Caldentey (Cristina Martín-Prieto, 77’), Esther González (Salma Paralluelo, 66’), Clàudia Pina (Athenea Del Castillo, 46’)

Portugal: Inês Pereira, Carole Costa, Diana Gomes, Fátima Pinto, Beatriz Fonseca (Ana Borges, 46’), Tatiana Pinto, Andreia Norton, Andreia Jacinto (Ana Seiça, 46’), Catarina Amado, Diana Silva (Andreia Faria, 83’), Jéssica Silva (Ana Capeta, 68’)

[1-0] Esther González, 2’

[2-0] Vicky López, 7’