‘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 going 12 shots in a close first half, Montse Tome’s side stepped up a gear after the break to increase their total to 33.

Corsie claimed that “they have a little bit of everything.” They have dynamic players, dynamic players, and exceptional individual talent, one v.

Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, Belgium manager, claimed that during their second-half performance that she “wanted to cry” when she entered the dressing room.

“I really cherished seeing my players give everything they had,” Gunnarsdottir said.

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

They are so adept at making strategic decisions. They use the box if you give them space or time to maneuver it.

Spain can camp outside the opposition’s box with Patri Guijarro dominating play from the base of their midfield and Putellas and either Aitana Bonmati or 18-year-old Vicky Lopez in front.

And they are prepared to try their luck if they can’t get the ball to one of their forward players.

The concern for rival Spain? In their post-game press conferences, both Tome and Putellas claimed that Spain had “room for improvement.”

Emma Byrne, the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, said on ITV, “I still think there is a lot more coming from Spain. Even though they are winning, they haven’t had their best in a while.

You can see that, but I still don’t believe we’ve seen Spain fully flown yet. “They have got the quality. It has been seen in a few moments.

The scary thing is that there is more to come.

Spain have demonstrated they don’t rely on just one player with their two games’ scores, with seven different ones appearing on the scoresheet.

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.