Esther González scored twice as world champion Spain delivered a strong statement by routing Portugal 5-0 in their Women’s European Championship opener on Thursday.

The 32-year-old González became the oldest player to play for Spain at the tournament and scored minutes before the youngest, 18-year-old Vicky López, added the second goal.

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.

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. 
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AP

González wasted little time before opening the scoring after 87 seconds with a flick past Inês Pereira. It quickly became apparent that 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.

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.

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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.

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.

Caruso nets winner in Italy vs Belgium

Italy secured what could prove to be a pivotal opening victory in the Women’s European Championship by beating Belgium 1-0 on Thursday.

Arianna Caruso scored on the stroke of half-time to give Italy an advantage in a tough Group B, which World Cup winner Spain is expected to top. The first two in the group will progress to the quarterfinals, and Belgium, Italy and Portugal will likely face a close battle for second.

Two-time runner-up at the Euros, Italy hasn’t reached the knockout stage since 2013.

Italy plays Portugal on Monday and Spain four days later. Next up for Belgium is the world champion.

Thursday’s victory was also revenge for Italy, which lost to Belgium in the group stage at Euro 2022 and came into the match on a streak of three straight defeats to the Red Flames.

Italy’s Arianna Caruso celebrates scoring during the EURO 2025 match between Belgium and Italy at Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Switzerland.
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AP

UEFA announced earlier that a minute’s silence would be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday in memory of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, who were killed in a car accident in Spain.

That was observed impeccably at a packed Stade de Tourbillon in Sion.

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The first half was finely poised, with a lot of good moves from both sides but a lack of final product as neither goalkeeper was really troubled.

The biggest threat came from Belgium captain and all-time top goalscorer Tessa Wullaert, and the Inter Milan forward had the best chance five minutes from the break. Her initial shot was blocked, and she then sent her second attempt just wide of the left post.

Italy broke the deadlock just four minutes later. Lucia Di Guglielmo picked out Caruso, who had been left completely unmarked on the edge of the area by the Belgian defence, and the Bayern Munich midfielder advanced into the left side of the box before cutting in and curling into the near top corner.