Latest news with #CristinaMartinPrieto
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fancied Spain rout Portugal 5-0 in their Euros opener after Italy win
Spain's Cristina Martin-Prieto (L) scores their side's fifth goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group B soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wankdorf Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
No Bonmati, no problem - Spain put down major Euros marker
Even with the Ballon d'Or winner recently in hospital and their first-choice keeper also unwell, Spain began their first game of Euro 2025 as heavy odds became even shorter 87 seconds into their opener against Portugal. By half-time, the only topic of conversation was who can possibly stop them in world champions beat Portugal 5-0, with four of those goals coming in the first half before Cristina Martin-Prieto headed in a late win should be taken in context. Spain beat Portugal 4-2 and 7-1 in the Nations League, and another shellacking was expected here. Amid a strange atmosphere in Bern - a minute's silence was held before kick-off following the death of Portugal men's international Diogo Jota - the Spanish fans were muted even as their side fired in goal after goal. They now expect after the three opening games at Euro 2025 were contested by six sides with clear flaws and some absence of quality, this first half was a real marker laid down by the world it came amid a disrupted build-up. Aitana Bonmati, the current Ballon d'Or holder, was on the bench after recently being discharged from hospital following bout of viral meningitis. Four days later she was introduced as a late keeper Cata Coll was an unused sub after a bout of tonsilitis, with 23-year-old Adriana Nanclares given a start. In front of her, there was no Irene Paredes because of were Spain there for the taking? The answer came in the first meaningful the recent Nations League, Spain won the ball from high turnovers 114 times and scored from five - both the most of any team. They overwhelm their foes, and Portugal had no answer. A constellation of Spanish stars Despite wearing number nine, Esther Gonzalez is not one of Spain's household names. But the 32-year-old NY/NJ Gotham striker is the figurehead of the Spanish attack, the poacher who converts chances created by wizardry behind scored the opener as she excellently controlled a pinpoint pass with her shoulder before slotting Bonmati? No matter. Bonmati is a star; this Spain side are a you remove one world-class Spanish creative midfielder, another steps up in their place. WSL player of the year Mariona Caldentey slipped in Vicky Lopez after seven minutes for is 18 and has already won three Liga F titles with Barcelona, for whom she is their youngest female debutant in Putellas, Bonmati's predecessor in winning Ballons d'Or back to back, scored the third with expert control and finish. She returns to the Euros stage after missing 2022 with a serious knee fourth was created sensationally by left winger Claudia Pina, another Barcelona star who has edged 2023 World Cup heroine Salma Paralluelo out of the XI, as she twisted a chipped cross from the byline off the far post, with Gonzalez - who had the first word - adding the last of a first half that should frighten the other 15 is why Spain are the team to beat at Euro 2025. Their depth from front to back is a keeper in her first competitive international? She keeps your first clean sheet in nine to do without your best player? The rest of the side will get the game won within eight minutes. Said best player was in hospital four days ago? She will still come on for the final 10 minutes and ooze class, nearly getting on the scoresheet with a well-saved low drive. 'A five-star performance' "It was a five-star performance," former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Five goals. Clean sheet. A different variety of goals as well. It's exactly how you want to start the tournament."We've spoken about it coming into this - Spain are the favourites and rightly so. They haven't won this competition yet so the pressure is on them to perform - and boy, did they perform, particularly in that first half."Yet Spain have occasionally shown since beating England in Sydney to lift the World Cup that they can be got suffered a shock loss to the Czech Republic in qualifying, while they were defeated by England in the Nations the most recent major tournament, the 2024 Olympics, Spain failed to win a medal following defeats by Brazil and are still some question marks about the ability of their first female manager, Montse Tome, for whom this is a maiden senior much harder tests will come. This Portugal side who, scarred by recent heavy losses to Spain and the dreadful news from Zamora on Thursday morning, were outclassed."I personally think Portugal made it easy for Spain," former Spain international Vicky Losada told ITV. "If you want to do something in the Euros you have got to compete."History does not indicate a procession for Spain. They have never won the Euros - indeed, the last time they went beyond the quarter-finals was in 1997. They have gone out in the last eight of the previous three continental if Spain do win Euro 2025, they will be only the second women's team in history to win consecutive World Cup and European tournaments after Germany won five in a row between 2001 and the depth and youth of this Spanish side, similar dominance should not be ruled out. And this hugely impressive first half could be the first Unquestionably.
France 24
03-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Spain thump grieving Portugal to make Euro 2025 statement
The world champions were two ahead inside seven minutes in Bern thanks to goals from Esther Gonzalez and Vicky Lopez and never looked back from there, rattling in three more thanks to Alexia Putellas, another for Gonzalez and a late header from Cristina Martin-Prieto. La Roja lead Italy, 1-0 winners against Belgium, on goal difference in Group B after showing no mercy to Portugal who were grieving compatriot Jota after his death alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in northern Spain. Portuguese fans marched to the ground ahead of the match with banners and chants honouring Jota and the tributes continued once supporters were in the Wankdorf Stadium. The capacity crowd stood for a moment's silence while a group of Portugal fans held up cards which read "Rest in Peace", while a banner said "thanks for everything". A difficult day for Portuguese football was made worse less than 90 seconds after kick-off when Gonzalez brilliantly brought down Olga Carmona's high ball before poking past goalkeeper Ines Pereira. And 18-year-old Lopez became Spain's youngest ever scorer at a women's Euros in the seventh minute when the Barcelona winger slid home Mariona Caldentey's low cross. Rampant Spain Captain Putellas, who missed the last Euros three years ago with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, got in on the act four minutes before the break with a brilliant touch to send Diana Gomes packing before confidently netting. Spain were relentless and Gonzalez was in the right place at the right time moments later when Claudia Pina's cross bounced back off the post, onto her and into the net. Coach Montse Tome had more good news in the shape of Aitana Bonmati who has recovered well enough from viral meningitis to play the final 10 minutes, by which time Spain had long since taken their foot off the gas. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati only returned to training with the Spain squad on Wednesday and her cameo is a major boost to Spain who have never won a women's European championship. And she was on the field to see Martin-Prieto complete the rout moments before the final whistle by heading in Salma Paralluelo's cross. Earlier Arianna Caruso thumped in the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time to give Italy all three points against Belgium in Sion. "It's the result we wanted. We grew into the game because we knew we had to manage our emotions for the first game," said Italy coach Andrea Soncin. "As the match when on we loosened up and out quality showed through." Bayern Munich midfielder Caruso's strike was the only real highlight of a game which boosted Italy's hopes of taking the other quarter-final spot with Spain seemingly certain to top the group. © 2025 AFP
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
World Champion Spain Routs Portugal 5-0 in Their Euro 2025 Opener
Esther González scored twice, and world champion Spain delivered a statement of intent by routing Portugal 5–0 in their Women's European Championship opener on Thursday. 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. 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. 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. 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. The game was preceded by a moment's silence for Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother the night before.
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
World champion Spain routs Portugal 5-0 in their Euro 2025 opener
BERN (AP) — Esther González scored twice and world champion Spain delivered a statement of intent by routing Portugal 5-0 in their Women's European Championship opener on Thursday. 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. 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. 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. 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. The game was preceded by a moment's silence for Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother the night before. ___ AP soccer:
