One week of Euro 2025 has passed and already there is unquestionably a frontrunner. Spain with their glittering array of talent have already shown the levels that they can reach in their opening two matches.<\/p>\n
Even though two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner Aitana Bonmat\u00ed is yet to return to the starting XI after suffering from a brief bout of viral meningitis, they have caught the eye with their goalscoring prowess and command of the ball. In among the goals and dominant play, however, are there some gaps in the armour that can be exploited?<\/p>\n
There is no denying that Montse Tom\u00e9\u2019s team are looking in frighteningly good form. Since missing out on Olympic Gold last summer, Spain have won 10 of their past 13 games and lost just once. In their opening matches of the Euros, they secured comprehensive victories against Portugal (5-0)<\/a> and then Belgium (6-2)<\/a> with an average of 75.5% ball possession.<\/p>\n There is so much to enjoy about the way La Roja play football. Their in-possession stats are eye-catching \u2013 across the first two games, they recorded 88.5% passing accuracy \u2013 as they try to suffocate their opponents. Their midfield ranks as the best in Europe with their patience in buildup and rotations that see them thrive in central areas.<\/p>\n Alexia Putellas has been a player on a mission after missing out on the last edition with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is currently the tournament\u2019s joint top scorer. After a strong season at Barcelona where she recorded 39 appearances, 22 goals and 17 assists across all competitions, she is now excelling on the European stage. She enjoys the almost telepathic communication she has with those around her. For her goal against Portugal, Mariona Caldentey launched a quarterback-style pass forward to pick out her run, a move the Arsenal player said they\u2019ve done \u201cabout 80,000 times\u201d before.<\/p>\n Alexia Putellas<\/a><\/p>\n The structure of their midfield, supported by the under-credited deeper-lying Patri Guijarro, allows for Putellas and whomever she is partnered with to push up. When Bonmat\u00ed is involved, the rapport between all three is second nature but the fascinating thing at this Euros is that they have looked just as in sync with Vicky L\u00f3pez starting. The 18-year-old has taken to international football like a duck to water. She marked her senior major tournament debut with a fantastic goal, a visionary run into the box and an instinctive finish that her older peers have done many times before.<\/p>\n Another aspect not to be overlooked is the variety of goals Spain have scored. Ten of their 11 goals in Switzerland have come from inside the box and they have added a variety of buildups. While they still favour moving through central areas, they have been utilising the long ball on more occasions. In Esther Gonz\u00e1lez, they have an in-form traditional striker, one that has not always fit the mould of the Spanish national team.<\/p>\n While there have been so much to praise in their opening performances, however, there are also signs that they can be undone. Belgium revealed their defensive frailties, particularly in Hannah Eurlings\u2019 goal which showed how the opposition can expose their high line and the profile of centre-backs they possess. Irene Paredes is a renowned defender and leader but has issues when facing direct, pacy attackers in transition. Stina Blackstenius, Mayra Ram\u00edrez, Alessia Russo and Tessa Wullaert are some of strikers on a domestic and international stage to have recently got the better of the 34-year-old.<\/p>\n Irene Paredes and Hannah Eurlings battle for the ball during Spain\u2019s victory over Belgium. Photograph: Priscila B\u00fctler\/SPP\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Belgium and Portugal did not have strong enough defensive or midfield units to withstand the pressure Spain put their opponents under, nor did they seem particularly willing to sacrifice their style. That is naive; if you try to match Tom\u00e9\u2019s side in possession, you will undoubtedly lose. It is telling, however, that the one defeat they\u2019ve suffered this year was from an England team<\/a> who were prepared to adjust. They packed out the central areas, forced Spain wide, stretched them in transition with direct forwards and held them, for the most part, to shots from distance. Back to that previous stat \u2013 just one of their goals this tournament has been from outside the box. Arsenal did precisely the same to Barcelona in winning the Champions League final<\/a>.<\/p>\n There is no doubting the challenge that awaits any side taking on this Spanish team. Their philosophy appears to be that it doesn\u2019t matter about defending if they can outscore their opponent. However, they have yet to face a truly elite opposition and only then can we really understand what the story of their tournament will be.<\/p>\n Talking points<\/p>\n WSL transfers continue: <\/strong>There have been some high-profile signings over the past few days. Manchester City captured Germany midfielder Sydney Lohmann <\/strong>from Bayern Munich while Arsenal acquired Taylor Hinds from Liverpool. Meanwhile, Everton brought in defender Hikaru Kitagawa from BK H\u00e4cken while Aston Villa have added both Ellie Roebuck and Lynn Wilms from Barcelona and Wolfsburg respectively. The Brighton captain, Vicky Losada, has left the club on the expiration of her contract. Check all the latest transfers from the top six leagues in the world here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sydney Lohmann signs for Manchester City. Photograph: Manchester City\/Photo by Declan Lloyd\/Manchester City FC<\/p>\n Chebbak stars for Morocco: <\/strong>The hosts lit up the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday with a dramatic 4-2 victory over DR Congo. The Morocco captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, was on the scoresheet once again with a hat-trick launching a comeback after Merveille Kanjinga had given the Congolese the lead. Flavine Mawete briefly levelled while Yasmin Mrabet\u2019s penalty made sure of the win for the hosts. Barbra Banda scored twice in Zambia\u2019s 3-1 win over Senegal to put them on the verge of the quarter-finals<\/p>\n United target World Cup <\/strong>final: <\/strong>Manchester United have outlined their desire to host the 2035 Women\u2019s World Cup final as they announced plans to build the biggest stadium in the UK. The \u00a32bn ground will have a capacity of 100,000 and the aim is to have it completed within six years.<\/p>\n Quote of the day<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Proper England\u2019 to us means we\u2019ll work hard until we can\u2019t run any more. We\u2019ll stick together and we know we are very dominant on the ball as well. Returning to that, that\u2019s our standard and our DNA as a team.\u201d England\u2019s Alessia Russo<\/a> after the 4-0 win over the Netherlands<\/p>\n Recommended listening<\/p>\n Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Robyn Cowen and Alex Ibaceta to reflect on Spain\u2019s six-goal statement, Portugal\u2019s dramatic late leveller and look ahead to England and Wales in Group D. Listen here.<\/a> A new episode taking in England\u2019s victory over the Dutch will be out later on Thursday.<\/p>\n Recommended viewing<\/p>\n England\u2019s opener against the Netherlands<\/a> was the pick of the bunch. Route-one football as Hannah Hampton played Russo through. She found Lauren James in the box to send home the finish in superb fashion.<\/p>\n Still want more?<\/p>\n \u201cShe has something special\u201d: Lucy Bronze sings Lauren James\u2019s praises to Suzanne Wrack<\/a> after the England player\u2019s double.<\/p>\n Louise Taylor was in Arena St Gallen to see Jess Fishlock make history<\/a> for Wales before France came on strong.<\/p>\n Nick Ames in Zurich analysed how England<\/a> overcame their demons against the Dutch.<\/p>\n And here\u2019s a fans\u2019 perspective as England rescued their Euros campaign.<\/p>\n