‘Exceptional’ Spain show adaptability – but are they vulnerable?

Two games, six points, 11 goals – Spain are making their mark at Euro 2025.

After a convincing opening five-goal win over Portugal and a 6-2 thrashing of Belgium, La Roja are through to the knockout stage in Switzerland.

As world champions and the top-ranked side in the tournament, Spain already had a target on their back – now they have underlined why they are favourites.

“It’ll take something special to outdo them or get a win over them”, ex-Scotland captain Rachel Corsie told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Spain deserve all the credit they’ve had so far. It’s a daunting task for whoever has to face them as the tournament progresses.

” It’s a Spanish side that are nothing short of exceptional. “

Former England forward Eni Aluko told ITV:” Spain are the team to beat.

Portugal offered little resistance in Spain’s Group B opener, but Belgium proved a different challenge, twice equalising after going behind.

But each time the Red Flames responded, Spain replied instantly to restore their lead and regained complete control when Esther Gonzalez netted their third.

The rest of the game was spent largely in Belgium’s half, with Mariona Caldentey, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas scoring in the final half an hour to round off a successful evening for Spain in Thun.

After having 12 shots in a hard-fought first half, Montse Tome’s side stepped up a gear after the break to take their shot tally to 33.

“They have a bit of everything”, Corsie said. “They have players that are dynamic, they have players that are exceptionally talented individually, one v one”.

Their second-half performance left Belgium manager Elisabet Gunnarsdottir saying she “wanted to cry” when she entered the dressing room.

“I really believed in what we were doing and loved seeing my players give everything they had”, Gunnarsdottir said.

“They]Spain] understand the game on a different level to anything we will see at this tournament.

” They’re so good about making decisions around the box. If you give them time around the box, or give them space, they use it. “

With Patri Guijarro dominating play from the base of Spain’s midfield, and Putellas and either Aitana Bonmati or 18-year-old Vicky Lopez in front, Spain are able to camp outside the opposition’s box.

And if they fail to squeeze the ball through to one of their forward players, they are ready to have a go themselves.

The worry for Spain’s rivals? Both Tome and Putellas said in their post-match media conferences that Spain had” room for improvement”.

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne agreed on ITV, saying:” I still believe there is a lot more to come from Spain. We haven’t seen the best from them in a while, even though they are winning.

“They have got the quality, you can certainly see that, but I still don’t think we’ve seen Spain in full flow yet. We’ve seen it in moments.

” There is more to come and that’s the scary thing. “

With seven different names on the scoresheet across their two games, Spain have shown they are not reliant on one player.

Spain’s captain and center-back Irene Paredes showed up to head home a set-piece, which is in contrast to their short, intricate passing and high possession count.

Caldentey’s long-range goal over the top contributed to Putellas’ goal against Portugal, and that was another example.

By being more direct, Spain have given their country a distinct style. Vicky Losada, a former Spain midfielder, said that adding a long ball is an additional thing to win competitions because it is very difficult to break down when teams go 5-4-1.

Are Spain’s forces unstoppable, then? Their opponents must identify and exploit any weaknesses that Tome’s side may have.

Belgium at least demonstrated how unstoppable their defense is.

Their main points are “going forward” and “being in possession.” Belgium managed to score goals and chances today that could have been better, according to Corsie.

That will give teams and nations that they’ll encounter later a little hope, and how you can see how vulnerable they can be.

“It’s understanding that if you can find that initial combination to break their press when you do win the ball, there’s a lot of place to play with.”

Belgium were successful because they had to break it with two passes, and that’s where they did it.

After all, Spain has recently been defeated. In the Nations League this year, England defeated them, and they lost to Brazil and Germany during a subpar Olympic campaign.

The other teams look at that and could make use of it to their advantage, Corsie continued, and Spain will be disappointed that they have given Belgium so little opportunity.