Favourites Spain began their campaign with a 4-1 win over Finland in the first game of Friday's doubleheader, but they had to respond to some early adversity after falling behind in the first minute.
Finland's Linda Sallstrom found the opener just 49 seconds into the contest with her right-foot strike back across the keeper into the bottom-left corner – but from that point on it was all Spain.
Spain controlled 79.3 per cent of the first-half possession, taking the game by the scruff of the neck, and they were rewarded with an equaliser in the 26th minute from Irene Paredes.
Aitana Bonmati gave Spain a 2-1 lead in the 41st with a header from near the penalty spot, their half-time advantage well deserved after completing 294 passes compared to just 47 from Finland in the first 45 minutes.
The second half was even more dominant, with Spain attempting 20 shots to Finland's one, racking up 2.42 expected goals in the process.
Their dominance paid dividends in the 75th minute when Lucia Garcia finally gave the seventh-ranked team in the world some breathing room, before Mariona Caldentey put the icing on the cake deep into stoppage time.
Germany then turned on the style in a 4-0 win over Denmark, with Lina Magull opening the scoring in the 21st minute after dispossessing one of the Danish defenders and powering her shot high into the top corner.
After striking the post twice in the first half, Germany opened the floodgates in the second.
Magull turned provider by assisting Lea Schuller to make it 2-0 in the 57th minute. It was the 24-year-old Schuller's 26th international goal from her 40th cap.
Lena Lattwein was brought off the bench in the 61st minute and got herself on the scoresheet 17 minutes later, getting on the end of a Lena Oberdorf assist to net Germany's third, before fellow substitute Alexandra Popp completed the rout in the 86th minute with a point-blank header from Sydney Lohmann's cross.
Germany and Spain's next fixture will be against each other on Tuesday, when Finland face Denmark.
Scotland boss Martinez Losa leaves after Euro 2025 qualification failure
Pedro Martinez Losa has left his role as Scotland Women’s national team head coach after his side failed to qualify for Euro 2025.
Scotland lost 2-0 on aggregate to play-off opponents Finland this month and also missed out on the 2023 World Cup via the play-offs.
Martinez Losa was appointed boss in July 2021 and his contract was set to take him to 2027 but, after another qualifying failure, has decided to step away.
Scotland women last reached a major tournament when Shelley Kerr's side featured at the 2019 World Cup in France.
"I am immensely proud of the journey we have undertaken as a group, and it has been a privilege to lead the Scotland women's national team," he told the SFA website.
"Watching young talent flourish alongside our experienced players has been a highlight of my time here.
"I leave with fond memories and gratitude to my squad, backroom staff and the passionate supporters, who have been unwavering in their backing. Scotland will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish the team every success in the future."
The Scottish FA board said they felt a “change is required” ahead of fixtures against Austria, Germany and Netherlands, and in preparation for 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
They confirmed the recruitment process for the role would begin immediately to replace the Spaniard.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive, said: “I would like to thank Pedro for his efforts over the past three and a half years.
“While we shouldn’t lose sight of the recent unbeaten run, and winning promotion from Nations League Group B, the primary objective was to qualify for a major tournament again.”
Roebuck reflects on 'dream' return after stroke
Ellie Roebuck said it was a "dream" to return to football after she made her first appearance since suffering a stroke earlier this year.
The goalkeeper sustained a "left occipital infarct" in February 2024 before leaving Manchester City for Barcelona in the summer.
And she completed her return by making her debut for the Catalan club during Saturday's 4-1 win over Real Betis.
Roebuck wrote on Instagram: "303 days later. The goal was always to play the game I love again and at times it felt impossible, but to do it for Barcelona is a dream.
Alonso lauds Leverkusen's 'fight' in St. Pauli triumph
Xabi Alonso lauded Bayer Leverkusen's fight in their 2-1 win over St. Pauli on Saturday, earning the champions a third-straight Bundesliga triumph.
Alonso's side struck twice in the first half through Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah, with Morgan Guilavogui reducing the deficit in the 84th minute for St. Pauli.
Leverkusen improved their record against newly-promoted sides in the Bundesliga, having lost just one of their last 21 games against them (W16 D4).
But the reigning champions were made to work for their win, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 0.88 from their six shots compared to St. Pauli's 1.82 from their 12 efforts.
"Yes, we didn't discuss for today, but after Kiel, for example, what we can do better," Alonso told reporters following Saturday's victory.
"How to play with more intelligence in those minutes. Today wasn't spectacular, but we were more efficient and playing with more intelligence from minute one.
"When you play every three days, it's not easy to defend everything all the time. I have to praise my team for finishing today's game with a win.
"But that is what we need to realise about the situation that we are in. To fight for results and to fight for points. Yes, the first half was good, and the second half was okay."
The victory moved Leverkusen up to third in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich, who beat Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday.
But their attention will turn swiftly to the Champions League, with Inter the visitors to the BayArena on Tuesday.
Alonso's side find themselves sixth in the new 36-team standings in the competition after five games, taking 10 points from those games and scoring 11 times.
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