World champions Spain aim to be on top of Europe now as they set their sights on the UEFA Euro 2025, hosted in Switzerland in July. The women’s team looks to replicate the men’s feat of winning the World Cup and Euros back-to-back with their golden generation firing on all cylinders. La Roja is determined to succeed in the competition after experiencing disappointment at the Olympics. They bring a four-game winning streak into the tournament, having lost only four times in the past year. Qualifiers opponents Belgium, record appearance-maker Italy and Iberian rivals Portugal will be their opponents in Group B.
History
Since making their debut in 1997, when they reached the semifinals, Spain has participated in four UEFA Women’s Euros. The 2025 edition is their fourth straight appearance in the finals. Despite reaching the knockouts in each of their tournaments, the world champions’ journey has ended in the quarterfinals in each of their last three editions, including the 2022 Euros. Despite leading the tie against eventual champions, Spain lost the encounter 2-1 in extra time through a long-range strike by Georgia Stanway.
Qualification for Euro 2025
Spain dominated their qualifying group, which included Denmark, Belgium, and Czechia, winning all their matches except for a surprising away loss against the latter in the penultimate round. La Roja amassed 15 points from six games, scoring 18 goals with an average of three per game and conceding just five. After a dismal Olympics following the qualifiers, Spain picked up form in the Nations League, suffering just one loss and winning the rest of the group games to book their place in the competition’s finals to be played in October later this year. So, they arrive at the Euros in full confidence.
Spain squad for Euro 2025
Goalkeepers: Adriana Naclares (Athletic Club), Cata Coll (Barcelona), Esther Sullastres (Sevilla)
Defenders: Laia Aleixandri (Free Agent), Ona Battle (Barcelona), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Jana Fernandez (Barcelona), Maria Mendez (Real Madrid), Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City), Irene Paredes (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona), Vicky Lopez (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Maite Zubieta (Athletic Bilbao)
Forwards: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid), Lucia Garcia (Monterrey), Esther Gonzalez (Gotham FC), Cristina Martin-Prieto (Benfica), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) Claudia Pina (Barcelona), Alba Redondo (Real Madrid)
Head Coach: Montserrat Tomé
Strength
Spain’s pedigree in their squad is their biggest strength as they unlock unimaginable levels, as proven by their 2023 Women’s World Cup and Nations League triumph last year. Apart from the Olympics, the team has consistently dominated in every competition they have participated in, thanks to their quality and depth across all departments. With the best midfield trio in the world and a thrilling attack, La Roja are set to torment opponents in a major competition once again.
Weakness
Spain’s weakness could be themselves if they become too complacent, as proved in the 2024 Olympics, where they failed to secure a podium finish despite being favourites to win the Gold. At times, Bonmati and co. have found it difficult to break down low blocks and have become vulnerable to counterattacks, something they will want to improve ahead of the Euros.
How will Spain lineup at Euro 2025?
Spain's lineup for Euro 2025 is more predictable than any other team in the competition, as the core of the 2023 Women's World Cup-winning squad remains unchanged. Barcelona’s Cata Coll is the unshakable number one in between the sticks with the recognisable back four of fellow clubmates Ona Battle and Irene Parades, with Laia Aleixandri and World Cup-winning captain Olga Carmona in front of her. The gallant midfield of two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, with Patricia Guijaro, will control the tempo of the game, alongside providing goal threats. Up front, only Mariona Caldentey’s position on the left seems secure in the fluid front three, with Esther González still firing at her best at the age of 32. There is a tussle between the World Cup’s voted young player of the tournament, Salma Paralluelo and Claudia Pina, who enjoyed the best scoring return of her career last season, on the right flank. However, Paralluelo's ability to play as a centre-forward means both can be in the starting eleven at the same time, giving another luxurious option for Spain. With record scorer Jennifer Hermoso no longer considered in the setup, these players must step up on the big occasion, supported by the bench strength of Athenea del Castillo, Lucia Garcia, and Alba Redondo.
Player to watch out for: Aitana Bonmati
If Spain is to win another trophy this summer, it will be thanks to the artistry of the best player in the world, Aitana Bonmati, as if that needed saying. The inspiring character in women’s football ran the show in Australia and will be eager to repeat her heroics in Switzerland. The Barcelona star has contributed nearly 40 goals over the past three seasons, demonstrating the undeniable class she possesses. Bonmati’s goal-scoring, vision, creativity, precision, dominance in her position and sheer individuality are set to light up the Euros like never before. Adding to that, as a fourth captain for her side, the 27-year-old will bring leadership to the side and title-winning experience on the pitch and to the youngsters coming through the ranks. She will not just be the player to watch out for Spain, but for the tournament.
Spain's Euro 2025 opponents and fixtures
Group B
Belgium
Italy
Portugal
Spain
Spain's Group B Fixtures
4 July 2025
Spain vs Portugal - Wankdorfstadion, Bern (00:30)
7 July 2025
Spain vs Belgium - Stade de Geneve, Lancy (21:30)
14 July 2025
Italy vs Spain - Wankdorfstadion, Bern (00:30)
Prediction
There is little doubt that Spain will not face any real difficulty in finishing top of a group containing oppositions ranked below 10 to 20 in the world, even though Portugal, Belgium and Italy could become tricky at times. Their path to the semifinals looks clear, with the runners-up in Group A to face in the quarterfinals, presumably hosts Switzerland, whom they thrashed in the Women’s World Cup or any other opposition, once again not a high-ranked team. The main challenge will be at the semifinals, where, if everything goes right, they are set to face defending champions England, whom they lost to in the last two Euros. However, they defeated the same opponents to lift the Women’s World Cup and also this season to secure a place in the Nations League finals. So, La Roja has an edge in the battle. The final will be another severe challenge, should they progress, but it is nothing that this team cannot achieve in their quest for more trophies.
