Spain Opens 'Eurodream' by Crushing Portugal

Spain commenced their European Championship campaign in Switzerland by thrashing Portugal in a match held this Thursday in Bern, reaffirming the title favourites' status of Montse Tomé's squad. In an Iberian clash tinged with emotion due to the tragic car accident in Zamora that claimed the lives of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother André, the reigning world and Nations League champions once again outclassed Portugal, who have now suffered six defeats in as many encounters with Spain. Less than three months ago, they endured a humiliating 7-1 defeat in Balaídos, following a 2-4 loss in Paços de Ferreira.

Spain once again steamrolled their neighbours to secure the first three points on a journey that, if all goes as the 23 players selected by Montse Tomé for the tournament hope, should lead them to the final at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on July 27. Goals from Vicky López, Alexia Putellas, and Esther, the latter scoring twice, decided the match before halftime. Spain dominated at will throughout, despite easing off in the second half due to the comfortable lead, which Martín-Prieto capped in injury time.

Spain's superiority was overwhelming. With Italy's prior victory over Belgium in the other group match fresh in mind and no surprises in Montse Tomé's starting eleven, aside from medical absences of Cata Coll, Aitana Bonmatí, and Alba Redondo, and Irene Paredes' suspension, Spain took to the field with fierce determination, dismantling a very weak Portugal.

Esther struck early, expertly controlling a great cross from Olga Carmona and backheeling the ball to put the reigning world champions ahead. Far from missing the absent players, they acted like a relentless force, showcasing their overwhelming superiority over the Portuguese, who barely had time to recover from the first blow before finding themselves down again. This time, Mariona Caldentey attacked down the right flank and delivered a tense cross that Vicky López converted. 2-0 within 7 minutes, and the match was firmly in hand for a team showing no weaknesses.

Intense in pressing, serious, fluid in circulation, and enormously ambitious, Spain roamed freely against the Portuguese side, who could only try to weather the storm. Ines Pereira had to work hard to prevent Esther and Claudia Pina from widening the gap before the 20th minute, but Spain's attacks were relentless, and the extent of the punishment depended more on Spain's desire to inflict damage than on the Portuguese team's ability to resist.

Despite missing a golden opportunity, Alexia Putellas, after a piece of magic in the area by Vicky López, whose ability to unbalance repeatedly embarrassed the Portuguese defenders, Spain enjoyed themselves and barely gave their overwhelmed opponents any respite. The Portuguese players couldn't even test Adriana Nanclares throughout the first half, while Ines Pereira struggled to stop the onslaught.

The Deportivo Abanca goalkeeper managed to save a fantastic shot from Claudia Pina, but she was powerless to prevent Alexia Putellas from sealing Spain's third after a masterful cut by the Barça midfielder. The post left her stranded when it deflected a cross-shot from Claudia Pina to Esther's feet, who only had to tap the ball in to secure the victory before halftime, turning the second half into a formality that leaves Spain top of the group and increasingly intimidating their rivals.