World champions Spain made a powerful statement in their opening match of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, thrashing Portugal 5-0 in a commanding display in Bern, Switzerland.
The encounter was played in a sombre atmosphere, with both teams and fans paying tribute to Portuguese international Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, who tragically died in a car crash earlier on Thursday. A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off, while fans held up pictures and shirts bearing Jota’s name, and a large image of him in a Portugal shirt was displayed on the stadium’s big screen.
Despite the emotional weight of the occasion, Spain were relentless from the outset. Having already beaten Portugal 4-2 and 7-1 in the Nations League earlier this year, they were firm favourites — and needed just 88 seconds to assert their dominance.
Olga Carmona delivered a deep pass from the left, which Esther González brilliantly controlled on her shoulder before flicking a volley past Ines Pereira. Six minutes later, 18-year-old Vicky López doubled the lead, sliding in Arsenal winger Mariona Caldentey’s low cross.
Spain continued to pile on the pressure. A superb diagonal ball from Caldentey set up Alexia Putellas for the third, as the two-time Ballon d’Or winner skipped inside a challenge and calmly finished. González added her second and Spain’s fourth before half-time, reacting quickest to tap in the rebound after Claudia Pina’s cross struck the post.
Substitute Cristina Martín-Prieto completed the rout in stoppage time with a bullet header from a Salma Paralluelo cross.
A Historic Campaign Begins
Spain are aiming to become only the third nation to win both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Women’s Championship — a feat previously achieved by Germany and Norway. Remarkably, Spain have never won the European Championship, with their best finish being a semi-final appearance in 1997.
This performance, however, firmly established them as tournament favourites, showcasing the depth and quality of their squad. Notably, Barcelona star Salma Paralluelo, who has finished third in Ballon d’Or voting for two consecutive years, started on the bench. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, recovering from a recent bout of viral meningitis, was also among the substitutes and made a brief appearance in the 80th minute.
Standout Performers
Teenage sensation Vicky López was one of Spain’s brightest sparks, terrorising the Portuguese defence throughout. She not only scored Spain’s second goal but also completed five successful dribbles, created three chances, and had an 88.5% pass accuracy. López led all players with nine touches in the opposition box and combined seamlessly with Barcelona teammates Putellas and Pina.
Key Stats
Portugal remain without a win in their opening match at a major tournament (Women’s Euros or World Cup). Spain became the fourth team to score four or more goals in the first half of a Women’s Euro match, joining Norway (2005), France (2022), and England (2022). Spain’s 5-0 win is now their biggest victory in the finals of a European Championship, surpassing their 4-1 triumph over Finland at Euro 2022.
What’s Next?
Spain will face Belgium in their second Group B match on Monday, 7 July in Thun (17:00 BST), while Portugal will aim to bounce back against Italy later the same day in Geneva (20:00 BST).
In Thursday’s other Group B clash, Italy edged Belgium 1-0 thanks to a goal from Arianna Caruso, putting them in a strong early position in the group standings.
Spain’s electrifying start signals their intent — and it may take something special to stop them.