Belgium suffered a heavy 0-7 loss to World Champions, Spain, in their opening match of the 2025 Women’s Euro football qualifiers on Friday in Leuven.
Despite an encouraging start, the Red Flames conceded two goals in the first quarter of the game. Salma Paralluelo scored following a corner kick (8′) before Jennifer Hermoso doubled the lead with a shot from inside the box (16′). Goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus prevented a more significant disadvantage by winning a one-on-one with Paralluelo (12′). Paralluelo scored the third goal following a backheel from the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas (30′).
After half time, Paralluelo completed a hat-trick (47′). The young star of the 2023 World Cup was at the receiving end of a cross from Athenea. Shortly after entering the game, Esther Gonzalez also found herself on the receiving end of a cross from Athenea, pushing the score to 0-5 (64′).
Further goals came from Sheila Garcia, a header (85′), and Gonzalez, in the aftermath of a lost ball by the Belgian defence (90′).
In another Group match, Denmark won 3-1 against the Czech Republic. The Danes will be the next opponents for Belgium, next Tuesday in Viborg.
The top two teams from each of the four groups in League A will qualify directly for the Euro, hosted in Switzerland. Third and fourth-placed teams will enter play-offs against teams from Leagues B and C. The last seven slots will be assigned in these play-off rounds, contested in two stages.
