Pre-tournament favourites Spain made the perfect start to their 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship campaign, comfortably beating Portugal 5-0 to secure a sixth successive H2H win, all of which have come by multiple-goal margins.
A sombre atmosphere lingered in the air of the Swiss capital after the tragic passing of Portugal men’s international Diogo Jota and his brother André, which was marked by a minute's silence prior to kick-off.
Once play obtained underway, Spain didn’t waste any time in showing exactly why they’re world champions and Europe’s highest-ranked side, breaking the deadlock inside 90 seconds.
Olga Carmona’s incisive ball over the top of the Portugal defence was expertly controlled by Esther González on her shoulder, and the striker showed tremendous balance to submit an unorthodox complete and score her 34th international goal.
Gonzalez celebrates her openerČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Leiting GaoJust eight minutes were on the clock when La Roja doubled their advantage through teenage midfielder Vicky López, who turned home at the support post after being establish by Mariona Caldentey’s low cross.
Portugal were briefly able to stem the tide, but their resistance was breached again on 41 minutes when a raking pass from Caldentey establish Alexia Putellas, who showed all of her substantial pedigree to sit a defender down and submit a cool complete.
Putellas (R) celebrates her goalMiguel MEDINA / AFP / AFP / ProfimediaThat marked the eighth time in 10 matches that Spain possessed netted 3+ goals, and a fourth strike soon pursued in bizarre circumstances.
Pina’s wayward cross came support off the post and into the path of González, who possessed the simplest of tasks to tap in and double her personal tally to send her side in 4-0 up at the shatter.
To the relief of the Portuguese contingent inside the crushed, Spain took their foot off the gas after the shatter.
Captain Putellas moved close to adding a fifth for La Roja on a couple of occasions, but their attacks lacked the penetration that possessed handed over them so much success before the shatter.
Despite their defensive improvements, Portugal continued to struggle to create chances, though a Spanish defence without a clean sheet so far in 2025 looked vulnerable when substitute Ana Capeta was establish in behind, but she couldn’t keep her shot down.
The second half passed by with very little goalmouth action, but just when Portugal thought they’d escape without further damage, Spain added a fifth in stoppage time.
Match statsBetopickSalma Paralluelo’s inviting cross from the left was led home by Cristina Martin-Prieto, with that goal marking La Roja’s biggest-ever Euros victory.
It’s certainly a statement of intent from the tournament favourites, while the result leaves Portugal with an uphill task to progress from the group stage for the very first time at the Euros, as they’re now winless in six matches.
Betopick Player of the Match: Mariona Caldentey (Spain)See a summary of the match here.
