Soccer
Spain opened their Euro 2025 account with a statement 5-0 victory over Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf on Thursday.
The match began with a moment of remembrance for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who both died in a car accident earlier on Thursday.
Spain made the perfect start with Esther Gonzalez finding a breakthrough just 87 seconds into the game. She brought Olga Carmona’s long ball down with her shoulder before flicking an improvised volley past Ines Pereira despite having her back to goal.
Five minutes later, Vicky Lopez doubled their lead; she timed her run perfectly to stay onside and stretched out a leg to poke Mariona Caldentey’s low cross in from close range.
Spain continued to dominate and eventually found their way through again in the 41st minute. Alexia Putellas rounded the sliding Diana Gomes as she cut inside from the left before curling a fine finish past Pereira.
Gonzalez got her second goal less than two minutes later. Her first shot was blocked, but Spain kept it alive. Claudia Pina’s cross struck the post, but Gonzalez was perfectly placed to knock it in from two yards out.
Spain were boosted by the return of Aitana Bonmati, who came on as a second-half substitute, having been hospitalised with viral meningitis last week.
La Roja managed just two shots on target in the second half, with Cristina Martin-Prieto netting with the last effort in the 93rd minute as she rose high to thump Salma Paralluelo’s cross into the back of the net.
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