Spain Begin Euro 2025 with Dominant Win Over Portugal After Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota

Reigning world champions Spain kicked off their Euro 2025 campaign in commanding fashion, cruising to a 5-0 win over Portugal in Bern, Switzerland.

The match began on a sombre note, with a minute’s silence observed in memory of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva, both of whom tragically lost their lives in a car accident on Thursday. Fans paid their respects by holding aloft photos and jerseys bearing Jota’s name, while a portrait of him in national team colours appeared on the stadium’s big screens.

Spain, who had already beaten Portugal twice in April’s Nations League by wide margins (4-2 and 7-1), wasted no time asserting their dominance again. It took just 87 seconds for Esther González to find the net, controlling Olga Carmona’s lofted ball on her shoulder before volleying home with finesse.

Just minutes later, teenager Vicky López doubled the lead, steering in Mariona Caldentey’s low delivery. Caldentey then turned provider again, launching a pinpoint cross-field pass that Alexia Putellas collected brilliantly before sidestepping her marker and calmly slotting in a third.

González struck again before the break, pouncing on a rebound after Claudia Pina’s cross hit the post to make it 4-0.

Spain completed the rout deep into added time, with substitute Cristina Martín-Prieto powering in a header from Salma Paralluelo’s cross.

The victory was a statement of intent from Spain, who are chasing a historic double—aiming to become just the third nation to win both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Women’s European Championship, following in the footsteps of Germany and Norway.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Spain’s depth stood out even more. Barcelona star Salma Paralluelo, a Ballon d’Or finalist in the past two years, started on the bench. Fellow Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, recently sidelined with viral meningitis, made a late appearance in the 80th minute—eager to return to action.

With this display, Spain underlined their status as tournament favourites. If this performance is anything to go by, they’ll be difficult to stop.