Fancied Spain rout Portugal 5-0 in their Euros opener after Italy win
World champions Spain scored twice in the opening seven minutes as they routed Portugal 5-0 on Thursday in a first statement of intent at women's Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
Esther Gonzalez netted after 87 seconds in Bern and completed a brace in the 43rd. Vicky Lopez in the seventh, former Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putallas in the 41st and substitute Cristina Martin-Prieto in stoppage time got the other goals.
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Spain got their biggest ever win at the event even though captain Irene Paredes was suspended and World Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati came on only for the last 10 minutes after spending the weekend in hospital for viral meningitis treatment.
Favourites Spain took early command in the group, on goal difference ahead of Italy, who beat Belgium 1-0 earlier in the day in Sion from Arianna Caruso's 44th-minute winner.
Spain and Italy can clinch their place in the last eight if they beat Belgium and Portugal, respectively, in their next games on Monday.
Minutes of silence for Jota and brother
Portugal were playing in the wake of the death of their men's national team and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash early in the early hours of Thursday.
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A minute of silence was observed ahead of both group games, and many Portuguese fans also held up pictures of Jota and Rest in Peace messages.
Spain mean business
Poertugal were beaten 4-2 and 7-1 by Spain earlier in the year, and their hopes for a better result effectively ended with Spain's first serious attack inside two minutes.
Gonzalez artistically controlled a long ball and then flicked it into the net past goalkeeper Ines Pereira. Lopez made it 2-0 just five minutes later, and two more goals before half-time ended the game as a contest.
Player of the Match Putellas chipped a classy third after dancing therough the penalty area, and Gonzalez tapped her second off Claudia Pina's effort against the inside left post from an almost impossible right angle.
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Portugal looked better after the break and came closest from Ana Capeta in the 76th when she aimed high after a long ball. But Spain wrapped up matters in from Martin-Prieto's thumping header on the last play of the match.
Caldentay delights in strong start
"Going into half-time with a 4-0 lead was wonderful," Spain forward Mariona Caldentey, who had two assists, said.
"There are always things to improve, and we'll analyse everything in detail, but I think it's a great way to start. Goals, confidence – it's a good beginning."
Crucial win for Italy
Belgium beat Italy 1-0 at the last edition in 2022 to reach the quarter-finals but they now face an uphill battle to advance again after losing against the former twice third-place finishers.
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Belgian star striker Tessa Wullaert aimed inches left in the 40th minute but Italy led four minutes later when Lucia Di Guglielmo set up Caruso to smash into the top left corner and put Italy ahead.
Italy could have won by a bigger margin after the break but Player of the Match Caruso was pleased with the important win.
Caruso happy
"The first match is always the most difficult. We will have the opportunity to analyse the game, but we take home the three points with a smile. It was crucial to start well," Caruso said.
"I am very proud of this team. We've had a good start and now we must recharge quickly ahead of the next match.'
The Euros continue on Friday with opening Group C action, Denmark v Sweden and record winners Germany v debutants Poland.
Portugal's Ana Borges (L) and Spain's Salma Paralluelo battle for the ball during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wankdorf Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
Spain fans hold up a large banner with the text '#STOPSEXISM' during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wankdorf Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
Spain's Cristina Martin-Prieto (2nd R) celebrates scoring their side's fifth goal of the game with team-mates during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wankdorf Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
Portugal's Fatima Pinto (L) and Spain's Vicky Lopez battle for the ball during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wankdorf Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
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