Spain Secure Dominant Victory Over Portugal at EURO 2025, Reaffirming Their World Champion Status

Spain, widely regarded as tournament favourites, kicked off their 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship campaign in spectacular fashion with a dominant 5-0 victory over Portugal. This win marked their sixth consecutive triumph against Portugal, with each victory coming by at least a two-goal margin.

A sombre tone enveloped the Swiss capital following the heartbreaking news of the passing of Portugal men’s international Diogo Jota and his brother André. This was commemorated with a minute’s silence before the match commenced.

From the first whistle, Spain displayed their credentials as both world champions and Europe’s top-ranked team, taking the lead within just 90 seconds.

Olga Carmona delivered a precisely weighted ball over the Portugal backline, which Esther González expertly controlled on her shoulder. The striker balanced herself brilliantly to execute an unconventional finish, scoring her 34th international goal.

With just eight minutes gone, La Roja extended their lead as teenage midfielder Vicky López slotted home from the back post after receiving a low cross from Mariona Caldentey.

While Portugal managed to temporarily halt Spain’s momentum, they conceded again in the 41st minute. A stunning pass from Caldentey found Alexia Putellas, who demonstrated her immense skill by evading a defender and calmly finishing the move.

This goal marked the eighth time in their last ten matches that Spain managed to score three or more goals. The fourth goal soon followed in a rather unusual turn of events.

A misdirected cross from Pina struck the post and fell into the path of González, who merely had to tap it in, increasing her tally to two goals and sending her team into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead.

Following the interval, Spain took a more leisurely approach, much to the relief of the Portuguese supporters present. Captain Putellas came close to netting a fifth a couple of times but could not find the finishing touch that had characterised their first half display.

Although their defensive performance improved, Portugal continued to find it challenging to forge clear opportunities. However, the Spanish defence, which had yet to keep a clean sheet in 2025, looked shaky when substitute Ana Capeta broke through, but her shot went over the bar.

The second half was largely uneventful in terms of goal-scoring threats, yet in stoppage time, just as Portugal seemed to have avoided further humiliation, Spain netted a fifth goal.

With Salma Paralluelo providing a tantalising cross from the left, Cristina Martin-Prieto headed the ball into the net, marking La Roja’s biggest victory ever in the Euros.

This emphatic win sends a clear message from the tournament favourites, while leaving Portugal with a formidable challenge ahead if they wish to advance from the group stage for the first time at the Euros, having gone six matches without a win.

Check out a summary of the match here.