'Much more than football' - Portugal pays respect to Diogo Jota at Euro 2025

The Estádio do Dragão, usually a cauldron of passionate footballing rivalry, was transformed into a national shrine on Wednesday evening, albeit one tinged with a profound sense of solidarity. Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 opener against formidable neighbours Spain may have concluded in a 2-0 defeat, but for the tens of thousands in attendance and millions watching nationwide, the scoreline was unequivocally secondary. This was a night not about points or progression, but about profound respect for one of the nation’s beloved sons, Diogo Jota.