Football is a funny game. One day you're at the top of the world, and the next, you're standing in a stadium in Bern with a heavy heart, trying to remember it's just a sport. When the Spain Portugal women's euros clash kicked off in July 2025, the air felt different. It wasn't just about the three points. It was about the fact that sometimes, the beautiful game has to play through some pretty ugly real-world pain.
Most people looking back at the record books see a 5-0 thumping by Spain. They see Esther González tearing through the defense and Alexia Putellas doing Alexia Putellas things. But if you were actually watching, or if you follow the "Navegadoras" closely, you know that the scoreline was only half the story.
The Night in Bern: More Than Just a Game
The lead-up to this Group B opener was shadowed by tragedy. Less than 24 hours before kick-off, news broke about the death of Portugal men’s international Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. You could feel it. The moment of silence before the whistle wasn't just a formality; it was heavy. Portugal looked rattled early on, and honestly, who could blame them?
Spain, being the ruthless world champions they are, didn't wait for their neighbors to find their footing.
Esther González scored within 88 seconds.
Yeah, 88 seconds.
By the time Vicky López tapped in the second at the seven-minute mark, the game felt over. Spain was operating at a level that frankly makes you wonder if anyone can actually stop them when they're in the mood. They finished the first half 4-0 up. It was clinical, it was fast, and it was a reminder that Spain Portugal women's euros matches have historically been a bit one-sided, even if the gap is slowly—very slowly—closing.
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Why Spain is Just... Different Right Now
We have to talk about the depth. Most teams would fall apart if their best player spent time in the hospital with viral meningitis right before a major tournament. Not Spain. Aitana Bonmatí started on the bench, and they still looked like a well-oiled machine. When she finally came on in the 82nd minute, the ovation from the Bern crowd was enough to give you chills.
Here is how Spain basically dismantled the Portuguese setup:
- They used a high press that forced Portugal into 70% of the defending work.
- They exploited the wings with Mariona Caldentey and Olga Carmona.
- They played with a "generational shift" mentality, letting 18-year-old Vicky López run the show.
Montse Tomé has done something interesting with this squad. She's moving away from the old guard—leaving out legends like Jenni Hermoso—and betting on the kids. It’s working.
Portugal's Long Road and the "Kika" Factor
Look, losing 5-0 sucks. There’s no way to sugarcoat that. But Portugal isn't the same team that used to just show up to make up the numbers. They’ve risen from 43rd in the world to the top 25 under Francisco Neto.
The big "what if" for Portugal always seems to come back to Kika Nazareth. She’s the face of the new era. When she joined Barcelona for half a million euros, it changed the game for Portuguese women's football. But she came into the 2025 Euros recovering from a nasty injury, and you could tell. A half-fit Kika is still better than most, but against a Spanish midfield containing Putellas and Guijarro? It’s a tall order.
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Portugal's second half was actually much better. They tightened up. They stopped the bleeding. Diana Silva mentioned after the game that they became "anxious and unsettled" after those early goals. It’s a mental hurdle as much as a tactical one.
The Iberian Derby Stats (The Real Ones)
If you're a stats nerd, the historical head-to-head for Spain Portugal women's euros is pretty grim for the Portuguese fans. Portugal hasn't beaten Spain in an official match since 1983. That was Spain’s first-ever official game. Talk about a long drought.
- Spain's Euro Openers: They’ve won their last four opening matches in the Euros.
- Possession: In the 2025 clash, Spain held 70% of the ball.
- The Record: That 5-0 win was Spain's biggest-ever victory in a European Championship.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
People tend to think Portugal is just "Spain Lite." It’s not. Portugal plays a much more transitional, gritty style when they are at their best. They almost knocked the USA out of the 2023 World Cup, remember?
The problem is that Spain has mastered the art of the "rondo" on a global scale. They keep the ball so well that you get tired just watching them. By the time the 60th minute rolls around, your legs are gone, and that’s when players like Salma Paralluelo start sprinting past you.
It’s also worth noting the domestic league difference. Spain’s Liga F is fully professional and produces talent at an industrial rate. Portugal is getting there—Porto finally forming a women's team and drawing 31,000 fans is huge—but the infrastructure gap is still visible on the pitch.
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Key Takeaways for Future Matchups
If you're betting on or analyzing the next time these two meet, keep an eye on these specific things:
- The Early Press: Spain always tries to kill the game in the first 15 minutes. If Portugal (or anyone) can survive that window, the game changes.
- The Aitana/Alexia Pivot: It’s arguably the greatest midfield duo in the history of the women's game. You don't "stop" them; you just try to limit the damage.
- Portugal's Youth: Watch Telma Encarnação. She’s got that "Madeira obsession" with goals, much like a certain Cristiano. She’s the key to Portugal actually scoring against the top-tier nations.
The Spain Portugal women's euros story didn't end in the group stage. Spain went all the way to the final, eventually losing to England on penalties (a heartbreaking way to go for a team that dominant). Portugal, meanwhile, used the experience to build for the next World Cup cycle.
They might be neighbors, but on the football pitch, they are currently in different universes. One is trying to build a legacy; the other is the legacy.
Actionable Insights for Following the Rivalry:
- Watch the Youth Tiers: Spain’s U-17 and U-19 teams are winning everything. The gap won't close until Portugal starts beating them at the youth level first.
- Follow the Champions League: Since so many of these players (from both sides) now play for Barcelona, the UWCL is actually the best place to see how these teammates handle each other when they're on opposite sides.
- Check the Nations League: This is where the real "revenge" matches happen now. The 2025-26 Nations League cycle is the next big test for Portugal to see if they've learned how to sit deep without breaking.