logo
Putellas at the double as rampant Spain hit rain-soaked Belgium for six at Euro 2025

Putellas at the double as rampant Spain hit rain-soaked Belgium for six at Euro 2025

The Guardian08-07-2025
Spain, looking ominously ruthless, continued their rich goalscoring form to reach the knockout stages of the 2025 European Championship as they put six goals past Belgium on a rain-soaked evening in Thun.
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.'
Sign up to Moving the Goalposts
No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football
after newsletter promotion
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.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

A look at the last five meetings between Euro 2025 finalists England and Spain
A look at the last five meetings between Euro 2025 finalists England and Spain

Leader Live

timea few seconds ago

  • Leader Live

A look at the last five meetings between Euro 2025 finalists England and Spain

Here, the PA news agency goes through the last five meetings between the two sides. England maintained their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman with a goalless draw with Spain at Carrow Road. The Lionesses' wait for a first Arnold Clark Cup win went on after they hit a post through substitute Lauren Hemp while Jordan Nobbs and all-time top scorer Ellen White were also denied. England booked their place in the semi-finals of the European Women's Championship after coming from behind to beat the pre-tournament favourites in extra time in Brighton. Ella Toone stepped off the bench and volleyed in the equaliser in the 84th minute after Esther Gonzalez gave Spain the lead but they continued to probe for a winner before extra time. England managed to shift the momentum in extra time and made the pressure count just six minutes into the additional 30 courtesy of Georgia Stanway's screamer which lifted the roof off the Amex Stadium. The Lionesses secured a semi-final clash with Sweden and went on to win the tournament. In the biggest meeting in the history of the two sides, Spain broke England hearts the last time the two teams played in a final at the 2023 World Cup in Australia. Spain's Olga Carmona slotted the all-important winner past goalkeeper Mary Earps in the first half after Lucy Bronze had given away possession in midfield. Spain had a chance to double their advantage after Keira Walsh handled inside the area but Earps saved Jennifer Hermoso's penalty with 20 minutes to go of the contest in a timely boost for England. England piled on the pressure late on but were unable to find the equaliser and England will be looking to gain revenge in another final this time around. England avenged their World Cup final defeat 18 months later with a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium. It was the first time the two teams had met since Spain beat England in the 2023 Women's World Cup final and Jess Park struck in the first half after she put in the rebound from Alessia Russo's initial strike. Spain had chances through Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, Claudia Pina and Lucia Garcia but England held firm to deliver their revenge. The two sides met just over a month ago as Claudia Pina's brace helped Spain come from behind to earn a 2-1 win over England in Barcelona and deny them a place in the Nations League finals. Spain were dominant throughout the early stages but Russo gave England a lead against the run of play when she latched onto Walsh's pass and slotted beyond Cata Coll. England were on course for the finals until Pina was introduced and she made her mark with an equaliser just two minutes after coming on. The 23-year-old Barcelona striker then completed the turnaround 10 minutes later with a sensational strike from 25 yards which handed Spain a deserved win which will be fresh in the mind when the teams line up on Sunday evening.

'Hard to describe how painful injury was'
'Hard to describe how painful injury was'

BBC News

timea minute ago

  • BBC News

'Hard to describe how painful injury was'

Derby County defender Sondre Langas has revealed he was playing through the pain barrier at the back end of last 24-year-old Norway international became a mainstay in John Eustace's side during the second half of the campaign following his January move from he will miss the start of the upcoming campaign while he recovers from knee surgery after starting all seven of Derby's final matches of the season as they secured their Championship status."It was really, really painful - it's hard to tell [describe] how painful," Langas told BBC Radio Derby."The gaffer was really good and told me I have to be honest with him if something was wrong."It was tough because I was on a lot of painkillers but I didn't use them during training so training was the worst."Listen to the full interview and more on Derby County on BBC Sounds.

Stressful way England reached Euros final unlocked perfect weapon
Stressful way England reached Euros final unlocked perfect weapon

Rhyl Journal

time8 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Stressful way England reached Euros final unlocked perfect weapon

England players have described this campaign as a roller-coaster, beginning with a hope-dipping loss to France that left their title defence hanging by a thread, then the high of dominant wins over the Netherlands and Wales before they fought their way through topsy-turvy, back-to-back spectacular comebacks in the knockout rounds. Now 90 minutes away from lifting their second major trophy, the Lionesses are set for their toughest test yet as they face the same side that beat them 1-0 in the Sydney World Cup final two summers ago. 'I think the way we did it brings the team closer together,' said Walsh. 'We just don't know when to give up. 'I've probably not (known anything like this). 'I think obviously we come in every tournament and we want to reach the final and maybe the way we've done it is a little more stressful for everyone. 'But I think that's kind of the beauty of this team, is that we are relentless and we've got belief in ourselves that even in the 90th minute, we can get a goal and we can win. 'I think that's what's really special about us at the minute.' Keira Walsh joins us LIVE from the media centre at basecamp. 🤩 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 24, 2025 Walsh, who spent three years at Barcelona, is very familiar with the Spanish threats, particularly Aitana Bonmati, the Barca midfielder and back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner who scored the extra-time winner in Spain's semi-final win over Germany. Spain's World Cup win was overshadowed by controversy, eventually leading to former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales being found guilty of sexually assaulting Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso after kissing her on the lips without her consent during the medal ceremony. Some Spain players have also expressed disappointment that their triumph in Australia did not yield the same women's football paradigm shift in their country as England's victory at their home Euros. 'I think they probably could have had more (respect),' added Walsh. 'I think, the way our league jumped after we won the Euros and everything in and around it, if you compare it to Spain, it probably wasn't the same and they won the World Cup. 'They probably could have had more support. 'After the game there was a lot of controversy and I don't think, for them, there was enough spotlight on how incredible they played and how incredible some of their players were. It was all about the other stuff that had gone on. 'As a professional, that was disappointing to see. I have a lot of friends in that team and I think they probably deserved a little bit more than what they got.' The Lionesses' bench has been instrumental in Switzerland, where Arsenal duo Chloe Kelly and 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has scored three goals in her first four England caps, including equalisers in the last two matches – have enthusiastically inherited the 'super sub' baton. Asked where the Lionesses' never-say-die attitude comes from, Walsh explained: 'Honestly, I think it's part of being English. The #WEURO2025 final ✨ — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 23, 2025 'I think that's what we feel when we put the shirt on. It's that we give everything, we run ourselves into the ground and that's the beauty of this squad. 'We know that if we have to come off because we're tired, there's going to be someone else who can finish the job. 'It's what we speak about as a team. It's that English resilience and it's something that we really pride ourselves on. 'You can see that in the last two games, that's something we really believe.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store