Spain vs Portugal Women Preview
Portugal and Spain will kick off their European Championship campaign on July 3rd with a Group B clash at 8:00 pm. Spain enters the tournament as favourites, and their Euro 2025 schedule offers them a favourable path to the final.
Portugal will fancy themselves to reach the knockout stages, but face an unenviable opening fixture. Can they pull off a huge shock, or will La Roja start as they mean to go on in Bern?
Spain vs Portugal Women Predictions
Score Predictions: Spain 3-0 Portugal
One of our best soccer predictions is for Spain to claim a comfortable win over Portugal. The World Cup winners are in excellent form. Spain has built on their 2023 triumph with a strong start to 2025. Their blend of technical quality, tactical intelligence, and squad depth makes them one of the most complete teams in the game. Players like Aitana Bonmatí, Olga Carmona, and Salma Paralluelo are among the best in the world right now.
Their squad depth is almost unmatched in international football and easily the strongest in Europe. Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the second consecutive year in 2024, with Paralluelo finishing third. No nation boasted more players in the top 20 than Spain, with five making the cut. The quality in this La Roja squad is incredible, and Portugal cannot match them in any area on the pitch.
Since Montse Tomé took full charge, Spain has refined their possession-based style. They dominate the ball but are now more direct when needed. This version of Spain is less predictable and more clinical in the final third. Their passing combinations are sharp, and their movement off the ball continues to unpick stubborn defences. They rarely lose control of a match, especially against teams outside the top tier.
Expect Spain to control the tempo from the first whistle. They will keep the ball, push Portugal deep, and try to break them down with quick interchanges. Bonmatí’s role as a deep-lying playmaker will be key. Her ability to dictate rhythm and find vertical passes between the lines is unmatched. Paralluelo’s pace and power give them a dangerous outlet on the break as well.
Portugal will not make it easy. Francisco Neto’s team has become much more organised in recent years. They are compact in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 shape and very disciplined defensively. They tend to sit deep, absorb pressure, and look to pounce on mistakes. Jessica Silva and Kika Nazareth provide the quality going forward, especially on the counter.
Portugal’s best chance lies in forcing Spain wide and crowding the box. They will look to frustrate Spain with numbers behind the ball and aggressive midfield pressing. Any opportunity to break quickly will be taken, with long diagonals into the channels to test Spain’s high line. Set pieces will also be key if Portugal is to find a way through.
Spain’s technical superiority and ability to control matches should eventually wear down the Portuguese defence. They will be patient in possession and should win this game at a canter. Even with a compact defence, Spain has enough tactical nous and firepower to force their way through.
Players to Watch
- Salma Paralluelo (Forward, Spain): Salma Paralluelo is one of the most dynamic attackers in the world. Her pace, power, movement and goalscoring ability make her a constant threat on and off the ball. She is a natural athlete with a background in sprinting, making her a fullback’s worst nightmare in one-on-one situations and loves to attack space behind the back line. Paralluelo’s direct running gives Spain variety in the final third, especially when teams sit deep to limit passing lanes. Her job in this fixture will be to stretch Portugal’s defence, who will sit tight and compact. She will be crucial in creating openings for teammates as well as carving out opportunities for herself.
- Dolores Silva (Midfielder, Portugal): Dolores Silva is Portugal’s captain and anchor in midfield. Her leadership will be crucial in a game where Portugal is the clear underdog. With over a decade of international experience, Silva brings composure, resilience, and tactical discipline. She positions herself well to break up play and guide her team through difficult spells. Her presence helps Portugal stay organised, especially when defending for long periods. Silva’s voice and calm decision-making will be vital in keeping the team focused. In a high-pressure environment against world-class opposition, her leadership and poise will be just as important as any tactical setup.
Spain vs Portugal Women Betting Tips
- Handicap – Spain -2: Spain are heavy favourites and should beat Portugal at a canter. There is not much value in a bet on the World Cup winners, so betting on the handicap is the best way to back them. La Roja won by six in a 7-1 rout of Portugal in April and put four past them four days prior. They should win by clear daylight once again, and a bet on Spain with a -2 handicap is worth 3/4.
- Over 1.5 Goals In The First Half: Spain like to start quickly and have wasted no time finding the net in their previous games against Portugal. They have scored at least two after the first 45 in all of their last five meetings. Bet on over 1.5 goals at half time, worth 10/11 with our online sportsbook.
- Player to Score – Salma Paralluelo: Salma Paralluelo has become one of Spain’s most dangerous forwards. Her pace and power make her a nightmare for tiring defenders. She scored in the last meeting between these nations. With Portugal likely defending deep, Paralluelo’s ability to break lines and find space in the box makes her a smart bet to find the net. We like backing her to score anytime in this one, worth 8/13 for anyone betting on soccer.
- Outrights – Spain to win Euro 2025: La Roja enter this tournament as favourites and have the talent to lift the trophy following their World Cup triumph. This is an excellent, confidence-building fixture for Spain and one they can use to build on for the rest of the tournament. Anyone betting on Euro 2025 can back them to lift the trophy at 3/1.
Spain vs Portugal Women Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in April, where Spain brushed past As Navegadoras in both fixtures of a double-header. They won their first meeting 4-2, before completing a 7-1 demolition in Vigo. La Roja were electric from the start, with Salma Paralluelo opening the scoring in the 2nd minute. Aitana Bonmatí dazzled with two quick goals by the 12th minute, and Alexia Putellas made it 4-0 before half an hour.
Montse Tomé’s side dominated the first half, with Portugal struggling to mount any response. After the break, Spain’s intensity never dropped. Mariona Caldentey, Esther González, and another from Putellas extended the lead to 7-0. Despite a late consolation goal from Portugal’s Pina Fonseca, it was a one-sided affair in Balaidos.
Portugal last played on June 3rd, falling to a disappointing defeat in Funchal and confirming their relegation from League A in the Nations League. Despite enjoying more possession, Portugal struggled to convert their control into meaningful chances in the final third. Their early dominance was undone in the 36th minute when Justine Vanhaevermaet broke the deadlock for Belgium with a composed finish.
In the second half, defensive lapses proved costly. A penalty conceded in the 67th minute allowed Tessa Wullaert to double Belgium’s lead. Just four minutes later, Wullaert struck again to put the result beyond doubt. Portugal continued to battle but couldn’t find a way through Belgium’s organised back line.
Spain came from behind to defeat Japan 3‑1 in Leganés on Friday, closing out their European Championship preparations with an impressive win over one of the world’s top teams. In a rematch of their only defeat from the 2023 World Cup, Spain were tested early. Mina Tanaka opened the scoring for Japan in the 30th minute, capitalising on a turnover to put the visitors ahead. Spain responded swiftly and with quality. Just before halftime, Claudia Pina finished off a slick move involving Alexia Putellas and Ona Batlle to level the score.
The second half belonged to La Roja. With Aitana Bonmatí sidelined, Vicky López stepped up, firing Spain into the lead after a goalkeeping error. Substitute Athenea del Castillo added a stunning third late on to seal the win.
