Putellas at the double as rampant Spain hit rain-soaked Belgium for six at Euro 2025
The world champions were twice pegged back by equalisers, but Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side were eventually overpowered and were eliminated by Portugal's 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday night, a result that also ensured Spain's place in the last eight.
Spain had scored five times in their opening victory against Portugal last Thursday and went one better in their second outing.
This Group B match was being contested in the pretty town of Thun, where surfers love to ride the Aare river, in the centre of the old town, including earlier on Monday afternoon, as the heavy downpours of rain only strengthened the river's force. Each time the surfers fell and were swept downstream, they would swim back upstream, to try their luck again, adjacent to the tournament fan zone.
The scene proved rather reminiscent of Belgium trying to resist wave after wave of Spanish attacks in the second half, but it felt as though every time Belgium clawed themselves back into the match, a fresh torrent of Spanish brilliance swept them away again.
Alexia Putellas began the relentless scoring when she rounded off a neat team move, after superb play from Vicky López, to clinically tuck the ball home.
Justine Vanhaevermaet briefly stunned the pre-tournament favourites as she headed in from a corner, but Spain were soon back in front when Irene Paredes headed in to make it 2-1, towards the end of a first half where Olga Carmona had also driven a powerful strike narrowly wide.
The crowd were momentarily sensing a monumental shock might be on the cards, when Hannah Eurlings sprinted in behind Spain's defence and slotted in, but almost immediately after the restart, Esther González met Putellas's outstanding pass to restore Spain's lead and make it 3-2.
By this point, the Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, still returning carefully to full fitness after contracting viral meningitis before the tournament, had been brought on as a half-time substitute and she was showing her usual creativity and style in midfield.
Her head coach, Montse Tomé, said: 'Aitana could play but I think we must be patient. According to the medical team, she is fine, but we don't want to risk her. As we have other players who allow us to keep the level. I believe Aitana will be 100%.'
Spain were mounting pressure and shortly after the hour Mariona Caldentey tucked in from close range, before a marvellous strike from Clàudia Pina in the 81st minute, curled into the far corner from distance, made it 5-2 with a goal that will undoubtedly be included in the goal‑of-the-tournament shortlist.
Putellas said of Pina's strike: 'Her goal was special, as always. Honestly, she's so good, it was a perfect goal, it was impossible to stop it.'
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Putellas, who was named player of the match, showed her class with a fine finish for her second of the game and Spain's sixth, and Tomé's team continue to look like they will justify their status as favourites.
The Barcelona midfielder said: 'The team had an excellent performance. We have room for improvement but the team is feeling fine, we feel comfortable that if something doesn't work, we can change and adapt.'
Tomé's side will top Group B if they continue their form against Italy in their final group match, and the head coach was full of praise for Putellas, in particular, adding: 'Alexia has a high performance for the whole team. She thinks collectively. She understands the spaces, she flows, and you see she enjoys it. I'm glad for her and also for the rest of the team.'
Gunnarsdóttir, appeared crestfallen by her team's fate but was also proud of their endeavour in attack. Trying to see the bigger picture, the Icelandic coach said: 'When I was hired to coach the team, it was about more than leading the team to the Euros – it was about building a team that can compete regularly against the top teams in Europe.
'I've only been here for five months. I've learned so much. I know I have a lot more to learn [but I] really feel we're going in the right direction. I would never have taken this job if I didn't believe the Red Flames could be a top nation in Europe.
'I walked into the locker room today and I really wanted to cry. I loved seeing my players giving everything they had. I'm going to be happy with a lot of things but it's going to take some time until I get to a point where I see it.'
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