Alexia Putellas helped Spain find their flow against Belgium to leave Red Flames coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir wanting to cry after being on the end of a 6-2 loss to the world champions.
Putellas scored twice and created two more as favourites Spain made it two wins from two in Group B to book their place in the quarterfinals of the European Championships, knocking Belgium out in the process.
The Barcelona midfielder has now scored three goals at the tournament and is leading Spain’s charge as they target a first ever Euros trophy.
“It goes hand in hand,” Putellas said in a news conference after being named the game’s MVP when asked if her good form was making Spain tick or vice versa. “As an individual, you think about the group and when you feel we are all together, you flow, and it makes me feel good of course.
“I have this role of creating chances, sometimes I also finish them, sometimes others do, [but] I’m feeling great. It’s not just because of the goals or assists, but because of how I feel out there, the sharpness.
“I said it before the tournament started: I’ve been feeling great. In some games things come off, in others they don’t, but the work is always there, and that’s what matters — putting myself to the service of the team.”
Spain opened their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Portugal and have now racked up 11 goals in the competition, which is already the joint second most ever scored in the group stage after England‘s 14 in 2022 with a game to spare.
Irene Paredes, Esther González, Mariona Caldentey and Clàudia Pina were also on target against Belgium as La Roja demonstrated a ruthlessness in front of goal.
“That’s one of our strengths — all the attacking potential we have, the different options within the squad, how versatile the players and our style of play can be,” Putellas added. “The team is doing really well; we believe in what we’re doing and we’re really enjoying ourselves.”
Belgium had earlier twice come from behind to level the game at 2-2 early in the second half before fading in the final 30 minutes.
The result means they are eliminated from the competition despite still having one game to come against Portugal.
Coach Gunnarsdóttir was tremendously pleased with the effort her players put in, but revealed she was almost reduced to tears after seeing the team come up valiantly short.
“I’m really proud of my team because I know 100% that they had the belief that I was looking for,” she said in a news conference. “But, to be honest, I walked into the locker room [after the match] and I really wanted to cry.
“Emotionally it was difficult because I really believed in what we were doing and I loved seeing my players give everything they had. I really think we gave them a game for at least 60 minutes, a really good game.
“Spain are a really good team, more efficient than last year. They are good at making good decisions around the box. If you give them a little room to shoot or take that pass, then they use it.
“They understand the game on a different level to many other players in this tournament, many of them play together at club level as well.”
Belgium close Group B on Friday against Portugal, who could still qualify after drawing 1-1 with Italy later on Monday. They need to beat Belgium and hope Spain beat Italy, with a six goal swing also required.
