Spain Thrash Portugal 5–0 in Women’s Euros Opener

Spain striker Esther González scored twice in the first half as her side powered to a 5-0 win over Portugal at the Women’s Euros that was overshadowed by the deaths of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident earlier on Thursday.

On an emotional night that began with a minute’s silence for the brothers, Portugal went behind almost immediately, Olga Carmona putting the ball over the top for Gonzalez to run on to and score in the second minute.

Mariona Caldentey did superbly to pull the ball across the box for Vicky López to score the second goal five minutes later.

The Portuguese managed to steady the ship but they were rocked again four minutes before the break when Alexia Putellas took down another great pass from Caldentey on her chest before calmly cutting inside and firing home.

“I highlight our mindset, how we came out to play,” Putellas said. “We were really eager to get started but it’s only the first match.”

There was more misery to come for Portugal before halftime as Gonzalez netted her second two minutes later, scoring from close range after Claudia Pina’s cross came back off the far post.

The Spaniards were delighted to be able to bring in Aitana Bonmatí from the bench following her recent brush with viral meningitis, and the playmaker wasted no time getting into the thick of things, setting up a chance for Cristina Martín-Prieto.

“Aitana is a very important player for us. We are delighted that she is back and has overcome her illness. It is a joy,” Putellas said.

Portugal showed more composure in the second half but they were no match for Spain’s power, precision and technique and, though they held Spain at bay for most of the second half, Martin-Prieto scored with a superb late header to complete the rout.

“We conceded early goals and the team became anxious and unsettled,” said Portugal forward Diana Silva. “We couldn’t get hold of the ball and then it’s harder to chase the result. We were much better in the second half, more united. We didn’t allow Spain so much space to get in.

“We believe until the end, our goal is to earn points until the end and everything is still up for grabs.”

Italy Edge Belgium in Tight Contest to Secure First Euro Win Since 2017

With Italy having defeated Belgium 1-0 earlier in the evening, Spain top the group with the Italians second. Spain take on the Belgians in their next game, while Portugal face Italy.

Italy won their first match in the Women’s European Championship since 2017 as Arianna Caruso struck just before the break to give them a 1-0 victory over Belgium in their Group B opener on Thursday.

Lucia Di Guglielmo’s quick pass from the right found Caruso unguarded just outside the box and the Bayern Munich midfielder calmly curled a right-footed shot away from keeper Lisa Lichtfus to find the net at the near post.

“It was what we wanted, the first match is always complicated,” coach Andrea Soncin told RAI after Italy made their first winning start in the tournament since 2009. “We can definitely improve and we must if we want to continue to grow, but I am happy with the attitude we showed.”

Player of the match Caruso probed the Belgian defence with multiple attempts in the first 20 minutes, after the match began with a minute’s silence following the death of Portuguese national men’s team striker Diogo Jota in a car accident.

Belgium had more of the ball in the first half and made 10 attempts, two more than Italy, but failed to take the lead when Mariam Toloba shot wide in the 26th minute and Tessa Wullaert missed the target from close range four minutes before Caruso’s goal.

Lichtfus’s quick reflexes saved Cristiana Girelli’s close range back-flick in the 64th minute to keep Belgium in the game, but the 2022 quarter-finalists were unable to find an equaliser as Italy made their first winning start in the tournament since 2009.

Italy will continue their campaign against Portugal on Monday, while Belgium play Nations League winners Spain.