Starting in style: Spain beat Portugal 5-0

Today, on 3rd July 2025, Spain cruised to a 5 goal victory over Portugal in Group B of the Women’s European Championships at Stadion Wankdorf.

Lineups

Spain:

Montserrat Tome played a 4-3-3 formation today with the starting XI consisting of:

A. Nanclares, O. Batlle, M. Méndez, L. Aleixandri, O. Carmona, V. López, P. Guijarro, A. Putellas, M. Caldentey, E. González, C. Pina.

Portugal:

Francisco Neto opted for a 3-4-1-2 formation, featuring a starting XI of:

Inês Pereira, Diana Gomes, Carole Costa, Fátima Pinto, Beatriz Fonseca, Andreia Jacinto, Tatiana Pinto , Catarina Amado, Andreia Norton, Diana Silva, Jéssica Silva.

First half

Before the match began, both sides engaged in an emotional minute of silence in memory of Portuguese/ Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, as well as his brother and fellow footballer, Andre Silva. The pair tragically passed away in a car accident, announced the morning of July 3rd 2025.

A statement start commenced with Spain scoring within the first two minutes. Esther González found space easily behind Portugal’s shaky defence, to give her enough time to bring down a brilliant lofted pass from Olga Carmona, flicking it in between the sticks on the turn.

La Roja didn’t need to wait to extend their lead, a second goal coming in the 7th minute. Mariona Caldentey executed her familiar playmaker role to perfection, pinpointing a brilliant weighted pass across the face of goal, reaching teenage sensation, Vicky Lopez’s feet for her first ever major tournament goal.

From then on, Spain looked dangerous with a constant barrage of attacks, highlighting Portugal’s weak back-five, by sending in tantalising crosses rather than working their way into the box.

However, Neto’s side showed glimpses of positivity, all on the counter-attack, with players like Jessica Silva and Diana Silva, displaying great pace when driving towards the inexperienced Spanish keeper, Nanclares’s goal, who was on her 3rd cap with this start. But, it was their decision-making and lack of support which ultimately let them down.

It’s never a true display of class, until previous double ballon d’or winner, Alexia Putellas gets on the scoresheet. This is exactly what happened in the 41st minute, when her swift skill sent a diving Portuguese defender the wrong way, opening up the goal perfectly for a one on one with goalkeeper, Inês Pereira. Often in these situations, Putellas never misses, which was the case in this instance, bringing the scoreline 3-0 to the Spanish.

Spain managed to squeeze yet another goal in just before half-time. Claudia Pina’s cross was unlucky to find the top corner of the net, rebounding off the post and falling favourably for Esther Gonzalez for her brace.

As the whistle blew, signalling the halfway point, it seemed to not just the fans, but also the players that Spain had sealed the victory within just 45 minutes.

Second- half

Substitutions at half-time:

Spain- Claudia Pina is withdrawn for Athenea Del Castillo

Portugal- Ana Borges substituted on for  Beatriz Fonseca.

Ana Rita Seica replaces Andreia Jacinto

Spain picked up just where they left off, within the opening minutes, Ona Batlle managed to pick out Putellas with space and time in the box, allowing her to turn and strike with venom. The shot was just wide of the post.

Despite this initial threatening opportunity, Portugal managed to effectively see out many attacks and even start to forge some of their own, with Gotham attacker, Jessica Silva managing to draw out a yellow-card worthy tackle from Laia Aleixandri with her quick turn of pace in the 52nd minute.

There was still problems brewing at the other end, although Ana Borges seemed to be a solid defensive change that had worked well, she struggled to cope with the techy feet of Olga Carmona, often diving in which Carmona anticipated and knocked it around her with ease. Borges was fortunate not to concede a penalty with a swing and miss challenge. Yet Spain just could not capitalise on their already generous scoreline.

In fact, the next significant chance came from a Portuguese perspective. Ana Borges took a very threatening freekick into the packed penalty area, which formed chaos. Ana Capeta, who had substituted on for Jessica Silva, had brought a newfound positive energy into the Portugal side and the ball managed to fall to her in the aftermath. But, she was only able to just nudge it above the crossbar. However, such a move, showcased that the Spanish defense had simply switched off, an interesting point of weakness that sides could exploit deeper into the tournament.

The match went on similarly, with majority of Spanish possession, leading to great moves but unable to generate an end product. Portugal weren’t able to seize more of their rare opportunities on the counter-attack.

Just as praise was given to Portugal by the pundits as the final whistle loomed, for managing to keep Spain out of the net for the second-half as well as prevent any shots on target, La Roja netted once more.

In the final seconds of the two additional minutes, Salma Paralluelo (entered the pitch in the 67th minute for Esther Gonzalez) whipped in a gorgeous cross that found Cristina Martín-Prieto’s (came on for Mariona Caldentey in the 77th minute) head and was propelled into the back of the net as she rose victoriously above all Portuguese defenders.

The final whistle sounded around the stadium, an imperious 5-star performance from Spain showcased.

FINISHED: SPAIN 5-0 PORTUGAL

Player of the match

Tonight’s accolade must be given to Spanish and Barcelona midfielder, Alexia Putellas. Scoring a stylish goal and being the main driving force behind most of her team’s attacks, made her the standout performer this matchday.

What does this mean for the group?

With Italy winning 1-0 over Belgium earlier today, Spain top the group on goal difference but level on points with 2nd place Italy. In 3rd is Belgium and in last is Portugal.

Post-match conclusion

Spain came out of the starting-blocks seemingly with a point to prove and a want to show the world just why they are the reigning world champions. Their attacks were varied, showing their versatility and technical ability to play quick pinpoint combination passes as well as accurate and searching balls over the top of Portugal’s defense. However, it’s far to say this was a perfect performance from La Roja as major weaknesses from the back were exposed, easily caught out on the counter. This is an area that stronger sides such as England, Germany and France would be able to penetrate more effectively. 

Portugal lacked the fundamentals of open-play defending many times today, with sloppy marking and positioning leading to a first-half flurry of goals for the opposition. When going forward, they looked hesitant, as if players didn’t want to go up and support in fear of a quick turnaround of possession. Saying this, they looked positive at times, able to win some one on one duels and switch on a quick pace to catch defense off-guard. But, to win games, it’s essential you build from back to front. If your defense has an inability to defend, a great attack is nullified.

Next fixtures

Spain plays Belgium in their next Group B fixture, on Monday 7th June at 17:00. You will be able to watch this on ITV.

Portugal plays Italy in their next Group B match-up, on Monday 7th June at 20:00. This is able to be streamed also on ITV.