Even with the Ballon d'Or winner recently in hospital and their first-choice keeper also unwell, Spain began their first game of Euro 2025 as heavy favourites.
Their odds became even shorter 87 seconds into their opener against Portugal. By half-time, the only topic of conversation was who can possibly stop them in Switzerland.
The world champions beat Portugal 5-0, with four of those goals coming in the first half before Cristina Martin-Prieto headed in a late fifth.
This win should be taken in context. Spain beat Portugal 4-2 and 7-1 in the Nations League, and another shellacking was expected here.
Amid a strange atmosphere in Bern – a minute's silence was held before kick-off following the death of Portugal men's international Diogo Jota – the Spanish fans were muted even as their side fired in goal after goal. They now expect dominance.
But after the three opening games at Euro 2025 were contested by six sides with clear flaws and some absence of quality, this first half was a real marker laid down by the world champions.
And it came amid a disrupted build-up. Aitana Bonmati, the current Ballon d'Or holder, was on the bench after recently being discharged from hospital following bout of viral meningitis. Four days later she was introduced as a late substitute.
First-choice keeper Cata Coll was an unused sub after a bout of tonsilitis, with 23-year-old Adriana Nanclares given a start. In front of her, there was no Irene Paredes because of suspension.
So were Spain there for the taking? The answer came in the first meaningful attack.
In the recent Nations League, Spain won the ball from high turnovers 114 times and scored from five – both the most of any team. They overwhelm their foes, and Portugal had no answer.
Despite wearing number nine, Esther Gonzalez is not one of Spain's household names. But the 32-year-old NY/NJ Gotham striker is the figurehead of the Spanish attack, the poacher who converts chances created by wizardry behind her.
She scored the opener as she excellently controlled a pinpoint pass with her shoulder before slotting home.
No Bonmati? No matter. Bonmati is a star; this Spain side are a constellation.
When you remove one world-class Spanish creative midfielder, another steps up in their place. WSL player of the year Mariona Caldentey slipped in Vicky Lopez after seven minutes for 2-0.
Lopez is 18 and has already won three Liga F titles with Barcelona, for whom she is their youngest female debutant in history.
Alexia Putellas, Bonmati's predecessor in winning Ballons d'Or back to back, scored the third with expert control and finish. She returns to the Euros stage after missing 2022 with a serious knee injury.
The fourth was created sensationally by left winger Claudia Pina, another Barcelona star who has edged 2023 World Cup heroine Salma Paralluelo out of the XI, as she twisted a chipped cross from the byline off the far post, with Gonzalez – who had the first word – adding the last of a first half that should frighten the other 15 nations.
That is why Spain are the team to beat at Euro 2025. Their depth from front to back is astonishing.
Name a keeper in her first competitive international? She keeps your first clean sheet in nine matches.
Have to do without your best player? The rest of the side will get the game won within eight minutes. Said best player was in hospital four days ago? She will still come on for the final 10 minutes and ooze class, nearly getting on the scoresheet with a well-saved low drive.
"It was a five-star performance," former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Five goals. Clean sheet. A different variety of goals as well. It's exactly how you want to start the tournament.
"We've spoken about it coming into this – Spain are the favourites and rightly so. They haven't won this competition yet so the pressure is on them to perform – and boy, did they perform, particularly in that first half."
Yet Spain have occasionally shown since beating England in Sydney to lift the World Cup that they can be got at.
They suffered a shock loss to the Czech Republic in qualifying, while they were defeated by England in the Nations League.
At the most recent major tournament, the 2024 Olympics, Spain failed to win a medal following defeats by Brazil and Germany.
There are still some question marks about the ability of their first female manager, Montse Tome, for whom this is a maiden senior role.
And much harder tests will come. This Portugal side who, scarred by recent heavy losses to Spain and the dreadful news from Zamora on Thursday morning, were outclassed.
"I personally think Portugal made it easy for Spain," former Spain international Vicky Losada told ITV. "If you want to do something in the Euros you have got to compete."
History does not indicate a procession for Spain. They have never won the Euros – indeed, the last time they went beyond the quarter-finals was in 1997. They have gone out in the last eight of the previous three continental tournaments.
But if Spain do win Euro 2025, they will be only the second women's team in history to win consecutive World Cup and European tournaments after Germany won five in a row between 2001 and 2009.
Given the depth and youth of this Spanish side, similar dominance should not be ruled out. And this hugely impressive first half could be the first step.
Favourites? Unquestionably.
