Spain needs half a part to present a candidacy for the title

Less than two minutes had passed and the Spanish women's team had already scored a goal. Seven minutes later, another. And so on, to five (5-0). The world champions debuted at the European Championship with the best of news, a resounding thrashing of Portugal. It wasn't just the goals from Esther González (2), Vicky López, Alexia Putellas, and Cristina Martín-Prieto; it was also the feeling of superiority and unity of a team that is clearly the favorite to win the title. The only thing they are missing after winning the World Cup and the Nations League.

There were two notable absences from the starting eleven: Aitana Bonmatí, who is suffering from viral meningitis, and Cata Coll, due to tonsillitis. But the truth is that the national team didn't miss them against Portugal, an opponent they had faced five times and always won. the red one. Yesterday, the sixth fell.

Esther González opened the scoring with a stunning goal. A ball in space from Olga Carmona, the Gotham player controlled with her chest first, and then finished with her spur. A work of art and a statement of intent. The Spanish team started brilliantly; the Portuguese never got past the midfield, and thanks to their high pressure, the second goal came, with Vicky López effortlessly finishing off a Mariona cross. Only seven minutes had been played. Montse Tomé's players took a break from attack, but never lost control of a duel in which they had almost 70% possession and 17 shots on goal. Portugal, on the other hand, only three.

With five Barça players on the pitch—six, if you count Laia Alexandri, already committed to the Blaugrana team for next season—Spain accelerated again in the closing stages of the first half. Alexia produced a magnificent individual performance, with three cuts and a shot at the near post, while Esther completed the rout with a chance goal, finishing off a ball that had been cleared by the post. Everything was settled before halftime, and the coach took advantage of the opportunity to rotate the ball at the restart, with Blaugrana players Jana Fernández and Salma Paralluelo coming on. Cristina Martín-Prieto also headed in the fifth and decisive goal in stoppage time.

Italy also starts the Euros with a victory

With this score, Spain leads Group B, in which Italy also has three points, thanks to the narrow victory over Belgium (1-0) with a goal by Arianna Caruso in the last minute of the first half.