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Spain and Italy win opening matches



Spain 5-0 Portugal: World Champions Shine in Bern

Spain’s women’s team kicked off their Euro 2025 campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over Portugal in Bern, Switzerland.


The world champions, who previously defeated Portugal 4-2 and 7-1 in April’s UEFA Women’s Nations League, were clear favourites and delivered a ruthless performance.


A minute’s silence was observed before the match in honour of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash alongside his brother André Silva on Thursday. Fans displayed pictures and shirts bearing Jota’s name, while a large image of him in a Portugal kit was shown on the stadium’s screens.


Spain took the lead after just 87 seconds through Esther González, who controlled Olga Carmona’s pinpoint pass with her shoulder before volleying home. Six minutes later, Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey provided a low cross for 18-year-old Vicky López to slide in the second. Caldentey then turned creator again, her superb crossfield pass finding Alexia Putellas, who skipped past a defender to calmly score the third.


González grabbed her second before half time, tapping in after Claudia Pina’s cross hit the post. Substitute Cristina Martín-Prieto completed the scoring in stoppage time, heading in powerfully from Salma Paralluelo’s delivery.


Spain’s squad depth was on full display, with Ballon d’Or third place finisher Paralluelo starting as a substitute and Aitana Bonmatí, a Ballon d’Or winner in each of the past two seasons, entering in the 80th minute. Bonmatí, recently hospitalised with viral meningitis, showed her resilience by returning to action.


Italy 1-0 Belgium: Caruso’s Gem Secures Opening Win

In Group B, Italy secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Sion, courtesy of a stunning Arianna Caruso strike.


The first half saw few clear chances, with Belgium’s Tessa Wullaert firing into the side netting from their best opportunity. Caruso broke the deadlock a minute before the break, latching onto Lucia Di Guglielmo’s precise pass and rifling a shot into the top corner.


Italy pressed for a second after the interval, with captain Cristiana Girelli’s cheeky backheel saved by Lisa Lichtfus and Michela Cambiaghi shooting wide when through on goal. The victory earned Andrea Soncin’s side three vital points in a tough group, while overturning a run of three consecutive losses to Belgium and avenging their 1-0 defeat at Euro 2022, which had knocked Italy out.


Italy’s impressive qualifying campaign, conceding just three goals in six matches and finishing above the Netherlands and Norway, has positioned them as potential dark horses for the title.