Spain vs Belgium: Putellas Brace Seals 6-2 Romp

Spain vs Belgium group-stage showdown at the Women’s Euro 2025 erupted into a goal fest on Tuesday night as world champions Spain dismantled Belgium 6-2 in Leuven, booking their passage to the quarter-finals with a match to spare. Alexia Putellas underlined her Ballon d’Or pedigree by striking twice, while Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Clara Pina and Esther González also found the net in a performance that blended ruthless finishing with trademark possession football.

Spain vs Belgium: How the Goals Flowed

The evening opened with a warning for the hosts when Putellas thumped the bar inside four minutes. Relief was brief. On 11 minutes, Spain recycled a short corner; Pina’s whipped cross located Putellas, who bulleted a header past Diede Lemey. Belgium’s high back line was begging to be split, and Bonmatí duly obliged midway through the half, dancing between defenders before slotting low for 2-0. Although Tessa Wullaert halved the deficit from the spot, the contest never truly tilted. Caldenty’s calm finish restored daylight before half-time, and a second-half blitz saw Spain vs Belgium tilt decisively as Putellas poached her brace, González nodded in a set-piece and Pina smashed home a sixth. Anke Thijs’ late consolation only served to add gloss to a pulsating scoreboard.

Tactical Tweaks Make the Difference

Jorge Vilda’s side adopted their familiar 4-3-3, but the wingers hugged the touchline even more aggressively than in their opening win over Italy. That width stretched Belgium, creating inside channels for Bonmatí and Putellas to surge into. Meanwhile, Irene Paredes and Laia Codina played on the front foot, ensuring Spain vs Belgium remained contested in the Belgian half for long spells. Belgium boss Ives Serneels attempted to match Spain’s midfield triangle with a diamond of his own, yet the technical gulf between the sides rendered the ploy ineffective.

Putellas Proves Her Point

After an injury-blighted 2023, some questioned whether Putellas would reclaim her throne as the world’s premier playmaker. The answer in Leuven was emphatic. Beyond the brace, she recorded a 92 percent pass success rate, completed four dribbles and won possession five times. Every surge carried menace, every pass split lines. If Spain go on to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy, nights like this will sit high in the tournament montage.

Group Standings and Route to the Knockouts

With six points from two matches and a goal difference of +7, La Roja top Group B. Barring a mathematical miracle, Spain vs Belgium will not be revisited this tournament unless the Red Flames reach the latter stages as one of the best third-placed finishers. Italy, on three points, are favourites to join Spain, while Portugal and Belgium both have an outside chance. Spain need only a draw against Portugal on Sunday to rubber-stamp first place.

Key Match Statistics

• Possession: Spain 72% – Belgium 28%
• Shots: 26-8 (on target 13-3)
• Passes completed: 721-274
• Expected Goals (xG): 4.1 – 1.0
The numbers echo what the eye test showed: Spain vs Belgium was a mismatch in technique, tempo and tactical execution.

Quotes from the Camp

Putellas, beaming afterwards, said, “We wanted to send a message that we are here to win everything again. The team is hungry.” Serneels admitted, “They punished every small error. We must learn quickly before facing Portugal.” Vilda praised his skipper: “Alexia leads by example. She looks sharper every session.”

What’s Next for La Roja?

Attention now shifts to Portugal, a side Spain defeated twice during qualification. Vilda may rotate, but he is wary of losing rhythm. Expect opportunities for Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo and the recovering Jennifer Hermoso. Beyond the group, a quarter-final tie with the Group C runner-up beckons, likely Sweden or England. Another meeting with Belgium would require an unlikely sequence of events, but should it happen, the Red Flames will need a completely different plan to prevent Spain vs Belgium becoming another one-sided affair.

Belgium’s Road to Redemption

The Red Flames still harbour slim hopes. Victory over Portugal paired with an Italian defeat would leave three teams on three points, dragging goal difference into play. Coach Serneels urged positivity: “This group has shown resilience before. One good result can change everything.”

Historical Context of Spain vs Belgium

Prior to this tournament, Spain vs Belgium had been contested nine times, with Spain winning six, Belgium one, and two draws. Spain’s average of 2.4 goals per meeting underlines a longer-term dominance that Tuesday merely amplified. For Belgium to close the gap, investment in youth pathways and domestic competition depth is crucial.

The Bigger Picture

Women’s Euro 2025 is shaping into a showcase of tactical sophistication. While England and France entered as co-favourites with Spain, the manner in which La Roja dismantled Belgium will give rival analysts sleepless nights. Putellas and Bonmatí move in intuitive tandem; their carousel of passes can spin defenders into submission. Should Spain maintain this fluency, a first continental crown since 1997 appears more likely than ever.

Opinion: Statement Victory Sets the Tone

From the opening whistle, Spain radiated authority. Their pressing was synchronised, their passing angles relentless. In truth, Belgium were passengers on their own pitch. Putellas’ renaissance, coupled with Bonmatí’s consistency, gives Spain a dual creative engine unmatched in the competition. Yes, sterner tests lie ahead, but night such as this send a ripple of warning across Europe: dethroning the world champions will require near perfection. Spain vs Belgium may read like a lopsided statistic, yet it serves a broader narrative—La Roja are not merely defending titles, they are redefining standards.