World champion Spain routs Portugal 5-0 in their Euro 2025 opener
The 32-year-old González became the oldest player to score for Spain, minutes before 18-year-old Vicky López became the youngest.
Spain captain Alexia Putellas also scored for La Roja, showing she's ready to lead the team to success after missing Euro 2022 with a knee injury. Spain lost to eventual winner England in the quarterfinals of that tournament.
'We've been talking about how motivated we are for this (Euro) for so long, and now we had to show it. We have reason to be pleased,' Putellas told Spanish broadcaster TVE.
Substitute Cristina Martin-Prieto completed the scoring with a header in stoppage time.
González wasted little time before opening the scoring after 87 seconds with a flick past Inês Pereira. It quickly became apparent the Portugal goalkeeper would have a busy game. She did.
Pereira did well to clear a cross but was unable to stop Mariona Caldentey giving López a tap-in minutes later.
Only 24 minutes were played when the fans started a Mexican wave around the nearly 30,000-capacity Wankdorf Stadium, normally home to Swiss Super League team Young Boys. The club also has a women's team, which is also called Young Boys.
Spain dominated possession in a textbook first-half display. Teammates' work off the ball ensured there was always a passing option. No player had the ball for long as it zipped around and the Portuguese players were left to chase it.
Putellas went close, Pereira denied Clàudia Pina, and it was no surprise when Putellas finally got the third goal after she displayed some brilliant control to evade a defender in the 41st.
The fourth came two minutes later when González tucked in the rebound after Pina's cross came back off the post.
But Spain coach Montse Tomé may have concerns about her team's second-half performance as her players' level of control dropped. Martin-Prieto's late goal was the only addition.
Spain didn't need Aitana Bonmatí. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner stayed on the substitutes bench until going on for López in the 81st. Bonmatí had been a doubt for the tournament after being hospitalized for viral meningitis last week.
'She's a very important player for us and we're happy she's back with us after recovering from her illness,' Putellas said of Bonmatí. 'Now we hope she can get back quickly to top playing form.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
39 minutes ago
- New York Times
Lionesses and leadership: Who will step up in the absence of Bright and Earps?
When England took to the field for the World Cup final two years ago, Millie Bright wore the captain's armband and Mary Earps was her deputy. It seemed improbable at that stage that neither would feature at this summer's European Championship. Their absences — Bright withdrew from selection, Earps retired shortly before the tournament and another senior player, Fran Kirby, also ended her international career recently — mean England go into the Euros without some of the pivotal figures of the Sarina Wiegman era. They have been key on the pitch but also influential off it. Advertisement The trio have 220 caps between them and are strong personalities. Earps and Bright were vocal figures in the dressing room and adopted big-sister and maternal roles respectively, while Kirby always led by example. On paper, that may cause some concern but as England attempt to defend their Euros title, the onus will be on others to step up as leaders. Wiegman is helped in this regard by the fact England are still a vastly experienced squad. The average number of caps per player (40) is more than at the 2023 World Cup (32) and on par with the Euro 2022 squad, while the average team member is only one year younger than those two squads. Leah Williamson, who led England to Euro 2022 glory and helped guide Arsenal to Champions League success as vice-captain, has been a natural leader. After her first two England camps in charge in September 2021, Wiegman — in the absence of former England captain Steph Houghton — handed Williamson the armband. She missed the World Cup with an anterior cruciate ligament injury but her role as captain was not in doubt. 'Leah is a bit more reserved but when she's speaking, you're really listening,' England team-mate and Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier said at the squad's pre-Euros media day. 'She knows what she's talking about and she's won a lot.' On the eve of their opening match, Williamson spoke about finding a balance when giving younger players advice. 'I would never want anybody to come and be so anxious it consumed them,' she said. 'But at the same time, there's lots of shiny things when you come to a tournament, lots of experiences to be had, but ultimately the main focus is on the pitch.' 'You have to keep (the debutants) in line a little bit because they get a bit distracted,' she added, speaking from her own experience at her first tournament, the 2019 World Cup. 'But there's no fear of that with these guys.' Though they do not wear the armband, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood and Keira Walsh form a core group alongside Williamson — occupying four of England's defensive and deep-lying midfield roles. They are often named by team-mates as key leaders in their own distinct ways. They are the standard-setters on and off the pitch. Advertisement 'Keira (Walsh) will lead in performance, wanting to make sure her game is on it, 24/7,' said 26-year-old Georgia Stanway, who was England's youngest outfield player at her first major tournament, the 2019 World Cup. 'She can demand more from other people and also from herself.' Walsh has learned from her own struggles with, in her words, the 'toxic' world of social media during the World Cup six years ago. Her advice to midfielder Grace Clinton is to enjoy the moment and stay present. Stanway falls into the standard-setting category, too. Mature beyond her years, she is a grafter, leads by example with her work ethic and raises the levels in training. 'With the team changing, even over the last weeks, a lot of us have had to step up and come into that (leadership) role inevitably,' said Stanway. 'We're both people (Stanway was speaking while sitting alongside Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy) who will communicate on the pitch, give a little bit of s*** here and there if needed, but we also can take it.' Lucy Bronze is another who wears many leadership hats. On the pitch, she is committed. Off it, she is the younger players' number one phone-a-friend. 'Bronzey speaks to everyone,' said Le Tissier. 'I love her, we get on really well. We always go to her with questions.' Playing in her seventh consecutive major tournament, Bronze shares her past experiences as well as her daily tips. 'She is one of those people who knows almost everything,' added Aggie Beever-Jones, who is set to make her major tournament debut. Another assured leader who flies under the radar is Manchester City captain Greenwood. The 31-year-old did not start a single game under Wiegman at Euro 2022 but has always been a consummate professional. She knows the City players Khiara Keating, Jess Park and Laura Blindkilde Brown (who was on standby) on a personal level but will also seek out others. Advertisement 'Alex has always made me feel really comfortable here,' said Lucy Parker, who was also on the standby list. 'She makes a conscious effort to embed you into the group and see how you are.' Fellow Liverpudlian Missy Bo Kearns, another who was on standby, agreed and added Greenwood holds her to account. 'She's always positive but also honest with me,' said Kearns. 'She will tell me: 'Come on, do this better, do more of this,' pushing me.' The six Chelsea players — no team is better represented in the squad — will miss their club captain Bright. But the more obvious gap in experience is actually in the goalkeeping department, as shown by the graph below. Hannah Hampton will be England's No 1 at this tournament but will have support around her. 'On the pitch, I know that if I've got a problem or I've not done something quite right, Alex (Greenwood), Leah (Williamson), Meado (Beth Mead) and Bronzey (Lucy Bronze) will all be there to gather around and help me out.' When there is a gap, an opportunity naturally arises for others to fill it. 'We all understand the power that speaking and leading by example has,' said Champions League winner Wubben-Moy, who drove the Lionesses' successful campaign for girls to have equal access to football in schools following Euro 2022. 'Let's not forget we all come from clubs where each and every one of us are considered some of the best within that club.' While it was once Ellen White who was like a mum to Chloe Kelly, now it is Kelly's turn to fulfil that role. 'The conversations — knowing the expectations within our group and being on the pitch with a smile — are really important,' she said. Lauren Hemp still 'feels like one of the young ones'. Sometimes when Wiegman asks Hemp questions as one of the leaders in a group meeting, the winger is almost surprised: 'Oh yeah, I am that now,' she realises. Many look up to her relentless work ethic. Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, once the fresh faces of Euro 2022 who turned into game-changers, are at their third major tournament. 'We are not old and we are not new,' said Russo, who advises backup striker Beever-Jones. 'We know how things work. There are times we have to step up and feel more confident to do that. We have the experience and the trust of other players and staff.' England's No 9 is also in charge of team social events with Clinton, bringing the squad together to make stronger bonds. 'That's going to help you with the team morale and get those connections when you're back playing the next day,' said Hampton. Advertisement England's squad have proven winners within it and they have shown they can handle the pressure domestically and on the international stage. 'Now we've got a group of players whose mentality is to win,' said Bronze, pointing to Arsenal's Champions League success, Chelsea's domestic treble and Manchester United's FA Cup finals. 'That's changed over my England career: the mentality of 'actually, we want to win' and doing that consistently.' At the helm are Wiegman and trusted assistant Arjan Veurink. The pair have an incredible record, with their teams featuring in every final of the past four major tournaments (Euro 2017, 2019 World Cup, Euro 2022 and 2023 World Cup). Bronze, though, is quite prepared to challenge that leadership. In the Finalissima against South American champions Brazil in April 2023, the defender told Wiegman to change the order of England's penalty takers at the last minute, bumping Kelly up to fifth. She scored the winning penalty. Amid the search for leadership, it should be remembered that England entered the World Cup in 2023 without the retired Ellen White and Jill Scott, as well as the injured trio of Williamson, Mead and Kirby. That did not stop them reaching the final and there will be confidence they have what is required to go far in this tournament as well. There is no question Bright, Earps and Kirby leave a gap — but it should not play on England's minds.
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Thommy and Joveljic each score a goal, Pulskamp has 8 saves to help Sporting KC beat Rapids
Associated Press COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Erik Thommy had a goal and an assist, Dejan Joveljic also scored a goal and John Pulskamp had eight saves on Friday night to help Sporting Kansas City beat the Colorado Rapids 2-1. Kansas City (6-10-5) beat the Rapids on the road for the first time since a 3-2 victory on March 29, 2014. Sporting is 6-20-13 all time in road games against Colorado. The Rapids (7-9-5) had 62% possession and outshot Kansas City 25-5. Thommy stole a misplayed pass played by goalkeeper Nico Hansen and rolled a pass to Joveljic at the left corner of the 6-yard box for a first-touch finish to open the scoring in the fourth minute. Thommy won a ball from Keegan Rosenberry at the edge of the attacking third, raced toward goal before he cut inside and slipped a low shot from just outside the penalty box inside the right post to make it 2-0 in the 53rd. The 30-year-old Thommy, who scored a goal in a 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake on Saturday, has a goal in back-to-back games for the first time this season and the second time in his career. Joveljic has 12 goals this season — third most in MLS. The 25-year-old forward scored a career-high 15 goals and helped the LA Galaxy to an MLS Cup championship last season. Rafael Navarro converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute for the Rapids. The 25-year-old forward has scored a goal in back-to-back games. ___ AP soccer: recommended
an hour ago
FIFA honors Diogo Jota and his brother before Club World Cup quarterfinal games
FIFA paid tribute to Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, before kickoff at the Club World Cup quarterfinal games in Orlando, Florida, and Philadelphia on Friday. The 28-year-old Jota and 25-year-old Silva were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed and burst into flames on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight Thursday. At the match between Al Hilal and Fluminense at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, players formed a circle at midfield as the video board displayed a photo of the Portuguese soccer players. The crowd participated in a moment of silence. At Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia where Brazil's Palmeiras faced Chelsea, a black-and-white photo of the brothers was displayed and a moment of silence was observed as players on both teams wore a black band on their sleeves. Chelsea's Pedro Neto, a friend and Portugal national teammate of Diogo Jota, made the sign of the cross as he entered the pitch with a jersey on his shoulder that had Jota's and André Silva's first names. Neto held up the jersey during the moment of silence with the help of Enzo Fernández. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said. They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tire. Jota's death occurred two weeks after he married longtime partner Rute Cardoso while on vacation following a long season when he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year.
