Spain arrived at the Euros in Switzerland with a remarkable record of goals, having scored 16 in the four previous tournaments. This team has undergone significant changes, showcasing patches of titles and Ballon d’Or winners in its lineup. In just two matches, they have netted 11 goals—five against Portugal and six against Belgium. Seven players have scored against rival goalkeepers, with Alexia Putellas and Esther González challenging each other as they compete for more points to chase down Vero Boquete’s 38 goals and leading Jenni Hermoso, who tops the list with 58 goals.
These “scoring beasts,” as they were named by Vicky López, lead all attacking statistics at the midpoint of the first phase. Of the 34 goals scored in Switzerland as of Monday, Spain accounted for 41.7%. They not only top the scoring chart but also lead in shots (57), assists, and shots on target, with five attempts recorded by Claudia Pina. Pina has taken 14 corners, the highest in the tournament, while Vicky has taken four. Spain has been focused heavily on attacking the opponent’s net, which is no surprise given their recent performances.
“The team is showing high efficiency. We create chances and convert them. The team feels fresh and we make good selections,” analyzed Montse Tomé after the victory against Belgium. Since Tomé took charge in September 2023, Spain has played 28 official matches, including the Nations League up to the 2024 finals and the qualifications for the next tournament in October. In these matches, they have scored an impressive 84 goals, averaging three goals per match. In this period, the team has only failed to score in two matches: against Germany in the bronze medal match of the Olympics (1-0)—where Alexia missed a penalty—and in their most recent encounter against England in the Nations League (1-0).
A Surprising Metric
The continued performance of players such as Esther, along with the emergence of younger talents like Pina, Salma Paralluelo, Vicky, and Cristina Martín-Prieto, has significantly influenced their scoring capabilities. Goals also come from established stars like Alexia, Aitana, and Mariona, as well as contributions from the defense. The offensive vision of this team is evident in the roles of Olga Carmona and Ona Batlle on the wings. These factors have contributed to a statistical performance that was beginning to show promise before but has now bloomed powerfully.
In the year between the Euro 2022 and the World Cup final, Spain played 19 matches and scored 75 goals. However, the numbers are somewhat skewed. During this time, the team faced qualifiers against teams like the Faroe Islands, Hungary, Ukraine, and Scotland, scoring multiple goals each match with an impressive 51 goals scored and none conceded.
Both in the last Euros in England and at the World Cup, their performance was somewhat subdued. They managed to score six goals until the quarterfinals of the continental tournament and were crowned world champions with a total of 18—though a lower tally could be anticipated in Switzerland due to the reduced number of games.
Disparo de Vicky López durante el partido ante Bélgica.
In Australia, the top scorer was Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa from Manchester United, with five goals. Similarly, in the last Euros, both England’s Beth Mead and Germany’s Popp were top scorers with six goals each. Past tournaments have seen five goals lead the scoring charts in 2017 and 2013 as well. Though both Alexia and Esther refrain from mentioning it, the possibility of reaching the top is not far-fetched. Spain still faces Italy, aiming for victory to secure the top spot in their group, but even a draw would suffice for their advancement.
The Defensive Struggles
Tomé emphasizes the importance of ball control and generating opportunities, but the downside lies in their defensive vulnerabilities. Since the group stage match against Brazil during the Olympics up until the game against Portugal, Spain has struggled to keep a clean sheet. In fact, throughout Tomé’s tenure, they have managed to maintain zero goals conceded in only nine matches, allowing a total of 32 goals against.
Thus far in the Euros, they have conceded two goals, and at the World Cup, they allowed seven. “We experience disorganized phases during matches, and we need to rectify that. We don’t want to concede goals,” warned captain Irene Paredes, who also made her scoring debut in Thun. Her goal, a header from a corner kick, makes her the oldest Spanish player to score in a Euro, an achievement previously set by Esther at 32 years and 207 days.
Paredes, who celebrated her 34th birthday on July 4, is also the Spanish player with the most matches played in a Euro. Since her debut in 2011, she has participated in the last four editions, totaling 13 matches. She made her debut in 2023 in Sweden, alongside Alexia Putellas, but an injury that sidelined Alexia from Euro 2022 prevented them from sharing the pitch together until now.