Latest news with #SpainVsPortugal
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Enter Vicky Lopez, Spain's 18-year-old star-in-waiting
In the 81st minute, Aitana Bonmati waited between the two technical areas for the action on the pitch to stop so she could come on. Spain faced Portugal in their first Euro 2025 match without their Ballon d'Or winner in the starting line-up and minus one of their three key players in a well-established midfield alongside Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas. Advertisement Less than a week ago, the Catalan player was hospitalised with viral meningitis, and there were fears that she would not be able to participate in the tournament. Her appearance in the first match of the group stage had been practically ruled out, and there were doubts as to whether she would be fit for the second match against Belgium. 'We have to stop Aitana,' Spain head coach Montse Tome said as she urged caution at the pre-match press conference while announcing that the progress of Bonmati's recovery was positive. At that point, Bonmati had one thing on her mind: playing. And she achieved the feat of returning to action for 10 minutes in her team's opening 5-0 win against Portugal. Bonmati's absence from the start forced Tome to think of an alternative for the starting XI, and Vicky Lopez was her chosen replacement. As Lopez left the field when Bonmati came on in the 80th minute, Spain were already winning 4-0. But Lopez wanted to leave the field via the touchline instead of crossing the pitch to go to the bench, as is customary, so as not to waste time and allow her Barcelona team-mate to have more minutes of play. Advertisement She was applauded by her fans, and rightly so: the 18-year-old had a great game, scoring a goal in the seventh minute. And that was despite twisting her left ankle two training sessions before the match. Although it was only a slight injury, she still had to ice her ankle. Lopez played with the joy of her age but the calmness of a veteran. In the seventh minute, she took advantage of a cross from Mariona Caldentey to ghost in unmarked between the Portuguese defence, get the tip of her boot to the ball and make it 2-0. Of the five dribbles she attempted, she was successful in all of them. She made 46 successful passes out of 52, and won six of the eight duels she had. '(Vicky) is a player who has now had her opportunity; a young footballer with whom we need to be patient,' Tome said at the post-match press conference. 'We have a lot of confidence in her talent. We have given her playing time and she has done very well.' Advertisement Although she is the youngest player in Spain's squad, Lopez has been generating a lot of excitement for many years. Barcelona signed her in 2022 from Madrid CFF when she was only 16 to have her live at La Masia and play for Barca B. In fact, she is one of the first products of the women's team to live at La Masia, which has been open to women's football since 2021. It was there that she forged a friendship with Lamine Yamal, who has been seen several times at the Johan Cruyff Stadium this season watching Barcelona Femeni. Both were named Golden Girl and Golden Boy, respectively, in 2024. Perhaps it was from this friendship that Lopez, or Yamal, got the idea of playing 'dembow' songs before their matches. Dembow is a music genre with roots in the Caribbean, particularly popular in the Dominican Republic, which influenced reggaeton but has a faster rhythm — and when you see Lopez play, it looks like she's playing to that rhythm. 'Before the match, Patri (Guijarro) played me some dembow songs to motivate me,' Lopez told RTVE after the match. Advertisement Like Lamal, Lopez moves with agility and explosiveness and has superb dribbling skills. It was after witnessing her practice these skills on a beach in Benidorm that Madrid CFF signed her at the age of nine. She was the youngest player — both male and female — to make her Champions League debut at just 16 years and 148 days old. She was also the youngest player to make her debut for the Spanish national team. So young in fact that she is still studying, combining her football career with a degree in business administration and management. Lopez also has an ambitious and uninhibited way of speaking that is far removed from the prudence of players from older generations. While the Spanish players have wanted to avoid being labelled favourites in interviews or press conferences, Lopez sees it differently. 'For me, Spain will always be the favourite,' she said in an interview with Agencia EFE this week. 'If we have fun, they can't stop us.' Advertisement Lopez made that declaration with a defiant, mischievous and playful look — and her words are like a breath of fresh air that mirror the generational change already under way in Barcelona's men's team with Yamal the spearhead. Sources at the Barcelona Femeni, who wish to remain anonymous in order to maintain their working relationships, explained to that they see Lopez as a footballer that people will pay to go and see play at the stadium. They are aware that she is one of their greatest assets. Lopez is well-supported by those around her. She gets on particularly well with Salma Paralluelo, who acts as her big sister and with whom she also shares a room in the national team. In Pere Romeu's Barcelona team, as well as the Spanish national team, midfield positions are in high demand. With two Ballon d'Or winners in Putellas and Bonmati, and then Guijarro, Lopez will not have it as easy. Yet Lopez has got Spain off to the best possible start at the Euros. Advertisement Time will tell if she can challenge Bonmati or Putellas for a starting place, or if she can play alongside them in one of the attacking positions. For now, she has planted the seed and let those who haven't seen her play know that she has quality to spare. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Barcelona, Spain, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Enter Vicky Lopez, Spain's 18-year-old star-in-waiting
In the 81st minute, Aitana Bonmati waited between the two technical areas for the action on the pitch to stop so she could come on. Spain faced Portugal in their first Euro 2025 match without their Ballon d'Or winner in the starting line-up and minus one of their three key players in a well-established midfield alongside Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas. Advertisement Less than a week ago, the Catalan player was hospitalised with viral meningitis, and there were fears that she would not be able to participate in the tournament. Her appearance in the first match of the group stage had been practically ruled out, and there were doubts as to whether she would be fit for the second match against Belgium. 'We have to stop Aitana,' Spain head coach Montse Tome said as she urged caution at the pre-match press conference while announcing that the progress of Bonmati's recovery was positive. At that point, Bonmati had one thing on her mind: playing. And she achieved the feat of returning to action for 10 minutes in her team's opening 5-0 win against Portugal. Bonmati's absence from the start forced Tome to think of an alternative for the starting XI, and Vicky Lopez was her chosen replacement. As Lopez left the field when Bonmati came on in the 80th minute, Spain were already winning 4-0. But Lopez wanted to leave the field via the touchline instead of crossing the pitch to go to the bench, as is customary, so as not to waste time and allow her Barcelona team-mate to have more minutes of play. She was applauded by her fans, and rightly so: the 18-year-old had a great game, scoring a goal in the seventh minute. And that was despite twisting her left ankle two training sessions before the match. Although it was only a slight injury, she still had to ice her ankle. Lopez played with the joy of her age but the calmness of a veteran. In the seventh minute, she took advantage of a cross from Mariona Caldentey to ghost in unmarked between the Portuguese defence, get the tip of her boot to the ball and make it 2-0. Of the five dribbles she attempted, she was successful in all of them. She made 46 successful passes out of 52, and won six of the eight duels she had. '(Vicky) is a player who has now had her opportunity; a young footballer with whom we need to be patient,' Tome said at the post-match press conference. 'We have a lot of confidence in her talent. We have given her playing time and she has done very well.' Advertisement Although she is the youngest player in Spain's squad, Lopez has been generating a lot of excitement for many years. Barcelona signed her in 2022 from Madrid CFF when she was only 16 to have her live at La Masia and play for Barca B. In fact, she is one of the first products of the women's team to live at La Masia, which has been open to women's football since 2021. It was there that she forged a friendship with Lamine Yamal, who has been seen several times at the Johan Cruyff Stadium this season watching Barcelona Femeni. Both were named Golden Girl and Golden Boy, respectively, in 2024. Perhaps it was from this friendship that Lopez, or Yamal, got the idea of playing 'dembow' songs before their matches. Dembow is a music genre with roots in the Caribbean, particularly popular in the Dominican Republic, which influenced reggaeton but has a faster rhythm — and when you see Lopez play, it looks like she's playing to that rhythm. 'Before the match, Patri (Guijarro) played me some dembow songs to motivate me,' Lopez told RTVE after the match. Like Lamal, Lopez moves with agility and explosiveness and has superb dribbling skills. It was after witnessing her practice these skills on a beach in Benidorm that Madrid CFF signed her at the age of nine. She was the youngest player — both male and female — to make her Champions League debut at just 16 years and 148 days old. She was also the youngest player to make her debut for the Spanish national team. So young in fact that she is still studying, combining her football career with a degree in business administration and management. Lopez also has an ambitious and uninhibited way of speaking that is far removed from the prudence of players from older generations. While the Spanish players have wanted to avoid being labelled favourites in interviews or press conferences, Lopez sees it differently. Advertisement 'For me, Spain will always be the favourite,' she said in an interview with Agencia EFE this week. 'If we have fun, they can't stop us.' Lopez made that declaration with a defiant, mischievous and playful look — and her words are like a breath of fresh air that mirror the generational change already under way in Barcelona's men's team with Yamal the spearhead. Sources at the Barcelona Femeni, who wish to remain anonymous in order to maintain their working relationships, explained to The Athletic that they see Lopez as a footballer that people will pay to go and see play at the stadium. They are aware that she is one of their greatest assets. Lopez is well-supported by those around her. She gets on particularly well with Salma Paralluelo, who acts as her big sister and with whom she also shares a room in the national team. In Pere Romeu's Barcelona team, as well as the Spanish national team, midfield positions are in high demand. With two Ballon d'Or winners in Putellas and Bonmati, and then Guijarro, Lopez will not have it as easy. Yet Lopez has got Spain off to the best possible start at the Euros. Time will tell if she can challenge Bonmati or Putellas for a starting place, or if she can play alongside them in one of the attacking positions. For now, she has planted the seed and let those who haven't seen her play know that she has quality to spare.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spain's new star, Vicky López, announces her presence at Euro 2025
Spain's Alexia Putellas, right, celebrates scoring with Esther Gonzalez, center, and Vicky Lopez during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Esther Gonzalez celebrates scoring with teammate Vicky Lopez, top, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, scores celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, scores her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Alexia Putellas, right, celebrates scoring with Esther Gonzalez, center, and Vicky Lopez during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Esther Gonzalez celebrates scoring with teammate Vicky Lopez, top, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, scores celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, scores her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Vicky Lopez, center, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) BERN, Switzerland (AP) — From the country that claimed the last four Ballon d'Or awards, Spain has a new star. The 18-year-old Vicky López announced her arrival on the big stage Thursday by helping Spain to an opening 5-0 rout of Portugal at the Women's European Championship. Advertisement It was Spain's biggest ever win at the tournament, eclipsing the 4-1 win over Finland at Euro 2022. López added the second goal just minutes after Esther González scored the first and she proved a constant threat for the beleaguered Portuguese defense, setting up chances for Alexia Putellas and playing a decisive role before González' second goal. Her performance earned praise from Spain coach Montse Tomé, even if she understandably tried to reign in the burgeoning expectations. 'She's a young player with whom we have to be patient. We've been working with her for a year, almost two years now,' Tomé said. 'We have a lot of faith in her talent, and she's at a point where we've been able to give her minutes (of playing time) now. She responded well. She did the job she had to do very well." Advertisement Tomé said López still had plenty of time to develop. 'We have to keep helping her improve. She's very young, and we're here to help her continue enjoying what she does,' the Spain coach said. It's clear that Tomé's faith is paying off for the player. 'When I play with confidence, I play better,' López told media in the mixed zone after Thursday's match. 'When you play without confidence, it's bad. Ultimately I'm grateful for the trust that I'm shown because I try to be myself on the field.' López played till the 81st minute when she made way for Aitana Bonmatí, who started on the bench after being hospitalized for viral meningitis last week. Bonmatí won the last two Ballon d'Or awards. Putellas won the previous two. All three players are teammates at Barcelona. Advertisement At 18 days and 342 days old, López became Spain's youngest player to appear at the European Championship. She'd already set the record as the country's youngest player when she made her debut last year. López became the youngest player to play in Spain's top women's league when she played for Madrid CFF aged 15. She joined Barcelona in 2022 and went on to break more records there because of her age, including becoming the club's youngest player, male or female, to appear in the Champions League. 'My family is the foundation of my entire life, and of course my father,' said López, whose mother died when she was 11 years old, and who still looks to the sky after she scores. Though Bonmatí is likely to play a greater role in the next games, López will get more opportunities to shine. She's already thinking of the team's goals. Advertisement 'We're hungry for more,' López said. 'I think if we keep going like this, playing as a team and having that luck in front of goal, we'll be able to play a very good European Championship.' Spain plays Belgium next on Monday. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The 3️⃣ standout stars in Spain's brilliant debut
Spain has once again crushed Portugal, this time in their debut at the Euros. A 5-0 scoreline that speaks for itself and brings confidence for what's to come. The Spanish team shone with stellar performances, while Portugal struggled both on and off the pitch, with the build-up marked by the emotional farewell to Diogo Jota. Advertisement Next, we reflect on the three key players who defined the course of the match. Vicky shines on the big stage 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or licensors She scored and dazzled, with a boldness befitting her age but worthy of a select few. She was substituted by Aitana in the second half, leaving the mark of a truly unique player. 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or licensors Esther González is pure force With a brace, including the opening goal just two minutes in, she once again showed her killer instinct in front of goal. Her efficiency and ability to pin down defenders amplified the sense of superiority from the very start of the match. Advertisement Aitana, the restored queen 📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2025 Getty Images The two-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to deliver a hopeful final few minutes. She and Martín Prieto, with a powerful header for the goal, were the bright spots in the closing stages of a decided match. Can Spain maintain this overwhelming pace in the upcoming matches? This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World champion Spain routs Portugal 5-0 in their Euro 2025 opener
Portugal head coach Francisco Neto watches as Portugal's Andreia Norton tries to tackle Spain's Mariona Caldentey, left, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain head coach Montserrat Tome gestures during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Ana Borges and Spain's Mariona Caldentey, right, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, right, and Portugal's Andreia Jacinto in action during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, 3rd left, celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, 3rd left, celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal head coach Francisco Neto watches as Portugal's Andreia Norton tries to tackle Spain's Mariona Caldentey, left, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain head coach Montserrat Tome gestures during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Ana Borges and Spain's Mariona Caldentey, right, during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, right, and Portugal's Andreia Jacinto in action during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP) Spain's Esther Gonzalez, 3rd left, celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Euro 2025, group B, soccer match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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:
