World champ Spain make statement with crushing win over Portugal at EURO 2025

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 got 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 apply an unorthodox finish and score her 34th international goal.

Just eight minutes were on the clock when La Roja doubled their advantage through teenage midfielder Vicky López, who turned home at the back post after being found 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 found Alexia Putellas, who showed all of her substantial pedigree to sit a defender down and apply a cool finish. 

That marked the eighth time in 10 matches that Spain had netted 3+ goals, and a fourth strike soon followed in bizarre circumstances.

Pina’s wayward cross came back off the post and into the path of González, who had the simplest of tasks to tap in and double her personal tally to send her side in 4-0 up at the break.

To the relief of the Portuguese contingent inside the ground, Spain took their foot off the gas after the break. Captain Putellas went close to adding a fifth for La Roja on a couple of occasions, but their attacks lacked the penetration that had brought them so much success before the break.

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 found 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.

Salma Paralluelo’s inviting cross from the left was headed 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.