2025 Women's Euro: Putellas Helps Spain Beat Portugal; Bonmatí Makes Late Sub
The 32-year-old González became the oldest player to score for Spain, minutes before 18-year-old Vicky Lopez became the youngest.
Spain captain Alexia Putellas also scored for La Roja, showing she's ready to lead the team to success after missing Euro 2022 with a knee injury. Spain lost to eventual winner England in the quarterfinals of that tournament.
"We've been talking about how motivated we are for this (Euro) for so long, and now we had to show it. We have reason to be pleased," Putellas told Spanish broadcaster TVE.
Substitute Cristina Martin-Prieto completed the scoring with a header in stoppage time.
González wasted little time before opening the scoring after 87 seconds with a flick past Ines Pereira. It quickly became apparent the Portugal goalkeeper would have a busy game. She did.
Pereira did well to clear a cross but was unable to stop Mariona Caldentey giving López a tap-in minutes later.
Only 24 minutes were played when the fans started a Mexican wave around the nearly 30,000-capacity Wankdorf Stadium, normally home to Swiss Super League team Young Boys. The club also has a women's team, which is also called Young Boys.
Spain dominated possession in a textbook first-half display. Teammates' work off the ball ensured there was always a passing option. No player had the ball for long as it zipped around and the Portuguese players were left to chase it.
Check out the highlights for the opening matchup of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 between Spain and Portugal.
Putellas went close, Pereira denied Claudia Pina, and it was no surprise when Putellas finally got the third goal after she displayed some brilliant control to evade a defender in the 41st.
The fourth came two minutes later when González tucked in the rebound after Pina's cross came back off the post.
But Spain coach Montse Tomé may have concerns about her team's second-half performance as her players' level of control dropped. Martin-Prieto's late goal was the only addition.
Spain didn't need Aitana Bonmatí. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner stayed on the substitutes bench until going on for López in the 81st. Bonmatí had been a doubt for the tournament after being hospitalized for viral meningitis last week.
"She's a very important player for us and we're happy she's back with us after recovering from her illness," Putellas said of Bonmatí. "Now we hope she can get back quickly to top playing form."
The game was preceded by a moment's silence for Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother the night before.
Italy defeated Belgium 1-0 in the other Group B game earlier. Spain plays Belgium next on Monday.
recommended
Get more from UEFA Women's EURO Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Family of Liverpool's Diogo Jota Gather for Wake After Fatal Car Crash
Family and friends of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother gathered at a chapel where their bodies were brought for a wake on Friday, a day after the Portuguese soccer players were killed in a car crash. Some hugged and wept before entering the Capela da Ressurreição São Cosme. The brothers' parents attended, as well as Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes. Mourners left flowers and candles next to a tree outside the chapel where visitation was held. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also visited to pay his respects. The chapel sits next to the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church where the funeral for the siblings is planned for Saturday. Gondomar resident Ricardo Alves lamented the loss of the local star as he passed by. "It is a great sadness," he said. "Although I did not know him personally, he was from here and I knew many of his friends from the region where he lived. It is a great loss. He is a young man with a lot still to give, and he had a somewhat tragic fate." Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre Silva, 25, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames. Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family, Spanish government officials said. Jota and his parents both have homes in Gondomar, where he started his playing career as a child. Gondomar is a working-class town next to Porto, where Jota was born. Jota's death occurred two weeks after he married long-time partner Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, with the youngest born last year. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said. They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tire. Jota's brother Silva played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions. The loss was felt sharply in his hometown, especially at his first soccer club, where Jota started playing at age 9. "He never forgot his roots, nor his friends, because he had a group of friends who were with him in the training here in Gondomar and who he even invited from time to time to go and watch Liverpool games in England," Gondomar SC director Anselmo Serra told The Associated Press. "They were like a group of friends that he never forgot over the years." Heading to England via boat Jota and his brother were driving overnight to catch a boat from Santander, on Spain's northern coast, to go to England to rejoin Liverpool, when they crashed, according to Portuguese media. Portuguese sports website Record published a video interview with Miguel Goncalves, who said he worked as a physical therapist for Jota. Gonçalves told Record that Jota was avoiding flying due to a lung condition that he recently treated. "I was in his house at night for a last treatment," Gonçalves said. "He was proud to have recovered from his pulmonary problem. He was happy to be with his brother. They were excited to spend some time together on the trip." Spanish police have yet to say which brother was driving. Liverpool mourns Jota Condolences poured in from Portuguese officials and the world of soccer as news of the accident spread. A moment of silence was held before Portugal played Spain at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland late Thursday. For a second day, Liverpool fans laid flowers and scarves outside Anfield Stadium. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was among those to place a bouquet at the impromptu memorial to Jota. Liverpool's players are not due back from their summer break until Monday. Mohamed Salah wrote on social media that it will be hard to return to the team without Jota. "Teammates come and go, but not like this," Salah wrote. "It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back. My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. "Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten." Reporting by The Associated Press. Get more from English Premier League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch Germany vs Poland: Live Stream UEFA Women's EURO 2025, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Germany faces Poland in the 2025 women's Euro soccer tournament, in what should be an entertaining soccer match between these two heavyweights. Team of Germany celebrates their team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024/25 Grp A1 MD6 match between Austria and Germany at on June 03, 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Team of Germany celebrates their team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024/25 Grp A1 MD6 match between Austria and Germany at on June 03, 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Photo by MarvinThis is the first matchday of the tournament for both Germany and Poland. The event started on Thursday with some very thrilling results. Finland began things by taking down Iceland 1-0. Norway defeated Switzerland 2-1. Italy took down Belgium 1-0, and Spain beat Portugal 5-0. Leading the way for the Spanish women in the huge victory were Esther Gonzalez, Vicky Lopez, Alexia Putellas, and Cristina Martin-Prieto. Today, the attention switches to Denmark vs. Sweden at 12:00 p.m. ET, followed by Germany vs. Poland at 3:00 p.m. ET. How to Watch Germany vs. Poland Date: Friday, July 4, 2025 Time: 3:00 p.m. ET Venue: AFG Arena Channel: FOX Stream: Fubo (try for free) Most recently, Germany defeated Austria 6-0 on June 3. Scoring for the Germans in the matchup were Sydney Lohmann, Lea Schüller, Selina Cerci, Klara Bühl, and Laura Freigang, in what was an impressive start-to-finish victory for the Germans. Lohmann scored in the first minute, and all six goals were scored in the first half. Poland, meanwhile, has also been in good form as of late, having most recently defeated Ukraine 4-0 behind goals scored by Klaudia Jedlinska, Paulina Tomasiak, Kayla Adamek, and Milena Kokosz. Before that, Poland defeated Romania 3-0 thanks to goals scored by Ewelina Kamcyzk and Paulina Tomasiak, who scored two goals in the final 10 minutes of the impressive showing. Change the channel to FOX at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon to catch a thrilling women's soccer match between Germany and Poland in the 2025 UEFA women's soccer tournament. Live stream the Germany vs. Poland game for free on Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Family of Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother gather for wake after fatal crash
Associated Press GONDOMAR, Portugal (AP) — Family and friends of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother gathered at a chapel where their bodies were brought for a wake on Friday, a day after the Portuguese soccer players were killed in a car crash. Some hugged and wept before entering the Capela da Ressurreição São Cosme. The brothers' parents attended, as well as Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes. Mourners left flowers and candles next to a tree outside the chapel were visitation was held. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also visited to pay his respects. The chapel sits next to the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church where the funeral for the siblings is planned for Saturday. Gondomar resident Ricardo Alves lamented the loss of the local star as he passed by. 'It is a great sadness. Although I did not know him personally he was from here and I knew many of his friends from the region where he lived," Alves said. "It is a great loss, he is a young man, with a lot still to give and he had a somewhat tragic fate.' Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre Silva, 25, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames. Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family, Spanish government officials said. Jota and his parents both have homes in Gondomar, where he started his playing career as a child. Gondomar is a working-class town next to Porto, where Jota was born. Jota's death occurred two weeks after he married long-time partner Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said. They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tire. Jota's brother Silva played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions. The loss was felt sharply in his hometown, especially at his first soccer club, where Jota started playing at age 9. 'He never forgot his roots, nor his friends, because he had a group of friends who were with him in the training here in Gondomar and who he even invited from time to time to go and watch Liverpool games in England," Gondomar SC director Anselmo Serra told The Associated Press. 'They were like a group of friends that he never forgot over the years.' Heading to England via boat Jota and his brother were driving overnight to catch a boat from Santander, on Spain's northern coast, to go to England to rejoin Liverpool, when they crashed, according to Portuguese media. Portuguese sports website Record published a video interview with Miguel Goncalves, who said he worked as a physical therapist for Jota. Gonçalves told Record that Jota was avoiding flying due to a lung condition that he recently treated. 'I was in his house at night for a last treatment,' Gonçalves said. 'He was proud to have recovered from his pulmonary problem. He was happy to be with his brother. They were excited to spend some time together on the trip.' Spanish police have yet to say which brother was driving. Liverpool mourns Jota Condolences poured in from Portuguese officials and the world of soccer as news of the accident spread. A moment of silence was held before Portugal played Spain at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland late Thursday. For a second day, Liverpool fans laid flowers and scarves outside Anfield Stadium. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was among those to place a bouquet at the impromptu memorial to Jota. Liverpool's players are not due back from their summer break until Monday. Mohamed Salah wrote on social media that it will be hard to return to the team without Jota. 'Teammates come and go but not like this. It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back,' Salah wrote. 'My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.' ___ Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. David Biller in Rome and photojournalist Manu Fernandez in Gondomar contributed. ___ AP soccer:
