In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio da Mata Real in Paços de Ferreira, the Spanish women's national football team faced off against Portugal on April 4, 2025, in the UEFA Women's Nations League. This match was pivotal for both teams, with Spain seeking to climb the standings after a shaky start in the tournament.
Spain entered the match in third place in Group A3 with just three points, having won against Belgium 3-2 in their opening game but suffering a disappointing 1-0 loss to England in their last outing. Meanwhile, Portugal sat atop the group with four points, buoyed by a draw against England and a narrow victory over Belgium.
As the match kicked off at 20:45 local time, excitement filled the air with fans eagerly anticipating a fierce battle. Both teams had everything to play for, with Spain needing a win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
The first half saw Spain dominating possession, controlling the ball 68% of the time compared to Portugal's 32%. However, the Portuguese defense, anchored by Diana Gomes, held firm against Spain's relentless attacks. Despite several attempts, Spain struggled to find the back of the net early on, with their first shot on goal coming from Patri Guijarro, which was expertly saved by Inês Pereira.
Spain finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Guijarro scored the opener after a well-placed cross from Claudia Pina. The goal sent the Spanish fans into a frenzy, as they celebrated the crucial first goal of the match. Just minutes later, Laia Aleixandri doubled Spain's lead, scoring with a powerful header from a corner kick, making it 2-0.
Portugal fought back and managed to pull one back just before halftime with a goal from Catarina Amado, leveling the score at 1-2. However, Spain quickly responded, with Guijarro scoring her second goal in the dying minutes of the first half, bringing the score to 3-1 as both teams headed into the locker room.
The halftime statistics reflected Spain's dominance, with 10 shots compared to Portugal's 3, and 5 shots on target against Portugal's 2. The expected goals (xG) also favored Spain, with a tally of 1.67 compared to Portugal's 0.30.
As the second half commenced, neither team made any substitutions, and the intensity of the match only increased. Spain continued to press, looking to extend their lead, while Portugal aimed to capitalize on any mistakes made by their rivals. Inês Pereira, the Portuguese goalkeeper, was called into action multiple times, showcasing her skills with several crucial saves.
Spain's coach, Montse Tomé, emphasized the importance of maintaining possession and exploiting the spaces left by the Portuguese defense. "We need to control the game and create more opportunities to score," she stated before the match.
Portugal, under the guidance of Francisco Neto, was determined to make a comeback. They aimed to capitalize on counterattacks and quick transitions, as noted by their goalkeeper, Inês Pereira, who mentioned, "We need to close the spaces because if we don’t, they can do a lot of damage to us. When we have the ball, we must take advantage of it and create danger in transitions."
As the match progressed, both teams exchanged chances, but Spain's defense held strong, led by María Méndez and Laia Aleixandri. The Portuguese side, despite their efforts, struggled to break through Spain's organized backline.
In the 75th minute, Spain had a chance to extend their lead further, but a close-range effort from Salma Paralluelo was thwarted by a brilliant save from Pereira. The Portuguese goalkeeper was proving to be a formidable obstacle for the Spanish attackers, keeping her team in the game.
As the clock ticked down, Portugal pushed forward in search of a second goal to ignite their hopes of a comeback. However, Spain's solid performance and tactical discipline allowed them to maintain their two-goal advantage.
With the final whistle approaching, the tension in the stadium was palpable. Spain's players remained focused, determined to secure the vital three points. The match ended with Spain emerging victorious, securing a 3-1 win over Portugal. This result not only boosted Spain's standing in the tournament but also intensified the rivalry between the two neighboring countries.
Following the match, Montse Tomé expressed her satisfaction with her team's performance: "We played well, controlled the game, and took our chances. This win gives us a great boost as we prepare for the next match against Portugal again on Tuesday."
As for Portugal, they will need to regroup quickly as they face Spain again in just a few days. Francisco Neto will undoubtedly be looking to make adjustments to his team's strategy to improve their chances in the next encounter.
With this victory, Spain climbs to second place in Group A3, now with six points, while Portugal remains at the top with four points. The upcoming rematch promises to be just as thrilling as both teams vie for supremacy in the UEFA Women's Nations League.
