La Furia Roja Flying! Can Anybody Stop Spain From Conquering Europe?

La Furia Roja Flying! Can Anybody Stop Spain From Conquering Europe?

Chandler Milligan

Not likely.

Two games played, eleven goals scored, and La Furia Roja have already secured progression to the quarter-finals of the Euros.

After a treble of runners-up finishes between 2020 and 2023, and a quarter-final exit against eventual Champions England, the Spanish Women’s national side has been on a run of dominance that has the potential to emulate the Spanish Men’s 2008-2012 reign of terror.

With a similar sovereignty at the start of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Spain dominated their opening two games, scoring eight unanswered goals against weaker opposition.

A strange 4-0 defeat against Japan saw them finish runners-up in their group, but they stormed through their Round of 16 clash with a 5-1 win over Switzerland. A slender 2-1 extra-time victory over the Netherlands saw them progress to the semi-finals, and a 2-1 win over Sweden sent them all the way to Sydney.

Olga Carmona’s first-half strike over England saw Spain crowned World Champions in an intense 1-0 victory, and they lifted their first major international title.

The following year, Spain continued their global dominance by defeating France 2-0 in the UEFA Women’s Nations League Final.

Now, with their position cemented in the knockouts of the Euros, Aitana Bonmati and her Spanish teammates have their eyes on a first-ever European title.

They kicked off the campaign with an authoritative 5-0 victory over Portugal, before dismantling Belgium in a 6-2 masterclass. The two largest results in the tournament so far after two matchdays, and a sign of the quality we have come to expect from the Spanish Women’s national team.

A significant start for the World Champions, and it’s hard to imagine anybody defeating them in this tournament.

But just how strong is this Spanish side, and are they as untouchable as they appear?

Currently, Spain is ranked second in the world, behind the USA, and is the highest-ranked European side. Behind them sit Germany, England, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands. All strong opposition vying for the title.

After two matchdays, Spain has the spotlight. Eleven goals scored in clinical fashion, and that’s with Aitana Bonmati only playing limited minutes since returning from viral meningitis.

Behind Spain, it’s impossible to overlook France as a strong contestant in this tournament. Drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside reigning Champions England and a strong Netherlands outfit, France have wasted no time asserting themselves as a genuine threat as they strive to lift their first major international title.

France won their tenth consecutive game in all competitions with a comprehensive 4-1 victory against Wales in Round 2 of Group D. They preceded this result with a thorough 2-1 win over an English side who many still consider favourites.

If they can continue their preeminence against the Netherlands in the final round of the Group Stages, they will cement themselves as a very real threat. Interestingly, their last defeat came against the World Champions, Spain, though it was a friendly. Their last competitive clash against La Roja was a 2-0 defeat in the UEFA Nations League Final.

It would be rude to ignore England as a tournament contender, given that they are the current Champions, and also made it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in 2023. They bounced back from their opening-round defeat with a powerful 4-0 victory over the Dutch and should secure their progression with a result against a winless Welsh side.

For the Netherlands, who boast so much talent in their ranks, an early exit is looming if they can’t snatch a result against France. England has the goal difference on their side and a far easier opponent. It’s not looking good.

Both Germany and Sweden pose an interesting threat in Group C. Two perfect starts have already ensured their progression, and they go head-to-head on Sunday in what will no doubt be a decisive clash for top spot.

Germany is currently ranked third in the world, behind Spain, and hasn’t lost since December 2024. They last faced Spain in the Summer Olympics in 2024, defeating them 1-0 in the Bronze Medal decider in France. If they were to overcome Sweden to top their group, the Germans will certainly back themselves to go all the way, regardless of their opponent.

And if Sweden can get the better of Germany, they can take confidence in what will mark exactly one year undefeated, with their last loss falling against France on the 13th July 2024. An outstanding run of 14 games without defeat.

It’s been a long time since they faced Spain, and their 5-3 defeat in 2023 is long behind them. If they were to come face-to-face with the World Champions again, they will be ready to put up a fight. Having reached the semi-finals in six of their last seven major international tournaments, Sweden is bred for the big stage.

But Spain are the favourites. There’s no doubt about it. The road to the final won’t be easy, but they can handle it.

With back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati back to full health, Spain’s squad will be at full strength heading into the knockout stages. And it’s not an exaggeration to call this squad stacked. The young talent of Salma Paralluelo, who lit up the last World Cup and has finished third on the Ballon d’Or podium in back-to-back seasons, alongside the experience of players like Irene Parades and Alexia Putella, who won the previous two Ballon d’Or awards before Aitana, demonstrates the hold Spain has over football.

Ten players from FC Barcelona, who are among the strongest and most consistent teams in Europe (and have three UWCL title in five years to prove it), the leadership of Maiona Caldentey in midfield, who just won the Champions League with Arsenal, and a plethora of talented players competing in the Spanish and English top-flight further underlines the consistency and coherency of Montserrat Tome’s Spanish side.

Currently boasting the highest goals per match, the most shots on target per match, the most accurate passes per match, and an average of 75.6% possession per match, it’s hard to imagine anybody denting this ruthless Spanish side as they hunt down their first European title. The quality of football, the diversity and charisma of the players on the field, and total supremacy across the pitch make this Spanish Women’s side both terrifying and beautiful to behold.

While Spain are heavy favourites, that’s not to say that they won’t face plenty of exceptionally talented and deadly opponents en route to the title. Stats don’t matter when it comes to tournament football, and whoever they face on their road to glory will no doubt be fired up to knock the World Champions from their perch.

It’s Spain’s tournament to win, so now they must deliver.