Euro 2025: Spain put down major marker by thrashing Portugal

“It was a five-star performance,” former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Five goals. Clean sheet. A different variety of goals as well. It’s exactly how you want to start the tournament.

“We’ve spoken about it coming into this – Spain are the favourites and rightly so. They haven’t won this competition yet so the pressure is on them to perform – and boy, did they perform, particularly in that first half.”

Yet Spain have occasionally shown since beating England in Sydney to lift the World Cup that they can be got at.

They suffered a shock loss to the Czech Republic in qualifying, while they were defeated by England in the Nations League.

At the most recent major tournament, the 2024 Olympics, Spain failed to win a medal following defeats by Brazil and Germany.

There are still some question marks about the ability of their first female manager, Montse Tome, for whom this is a maiden senior role.

And much harder tests will come. This Portugal side who, scarred by recent heavy losses to Spain and the dreadful news from Zamora on Thursday morning, were outclassed.

“I personally think Portugal made it easy for Spain,” former Spain international Vicky Losada told ITV. “If you want to do something in the Euros you have got to compete.”

History does not indicate a procession for Spain. They have never won the Euros – indeed, the last time they went beyond the quarter-finals was in 1997. They have gone out in the last eight of the previous three continental tournaments.

But if Spain do win Euro 2025, they will be only the second women’s team in history to win consecutive World Cup and European tournaments after Germany won five in a row between 2001 and 2009.

Given the depth and youth of this Spanish side, similar dominance should not be ruled out. And this hugely impressive first half could be the first step.

Favourites? Unquestionably.