Belgium beat Portugal 2-1 in Sion to end their opponent’s faint hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 quarter finals.
Portugal knew that only victory with a six goal swing against the side sat in second place in the group Italy, would suffice for a place in the next round. Italy played Spain at the same time with their Iberian neighbours providing them with a welcome boost before kick off, starting Aitana Bonmatí for the first time this tournament. If Portugal were able to do it they would make the knockout round of a major tournament for the first time.
Portugal made one change from the side that drew 1-1 to Italy. That was an enforced one, after captain Ana Borges was sent off late on against Le Azzure. In her place came Catarina Amado with Carole Costa taking on the captaincy duties for the night. Joao Marchão was able to start for Portugal despite coming off injured in the previous match.
Belgium were already confirmed as eliminated from the tournament and they made just one change of their own. Goal scorer from their last match, Hannah Eurlings, who came off injured against Spain, dropped out and Jassina Blom replaced her.
The Line ups
POR: Morias; Gomes, Costa, Fatima Pinto; Amado, Norton, Tatiana Pinto, Marchão; Nazareth; Capeta, Diana Silva
BEL: Lichtfus; Janssen, Tysiak, Kees, Deloose, Cayman; Toloba, Vanhaevermaet, Teulings; Blom, Wullaert
The Action
Within three minutes Portugal’s job became one goal harder. Jill Jenssens flew forward from wing back and was found by Blom, Jenssens’ ball fizzed across the box and Tessa Wullaert applied the finishing touches.
Belgium looked more likely to double their lead in the ten minutes that followed. Wullaert was again at the heart of things, cutting inside, she played a wonderful ball into the box which just evaded the sliding foot of Justine Vanhaevermaet.
Portugal were struggling to get any kind of foothold in the game. Their best effort of the opening 20 minutes came from the boot of Diana Silva, who struck from some distance dealt with by Lisa Lichtfus in goal for the Red Flames. As Portugal pressed forward, Belgium broke with pace and direction often through Mariam Toloba or Jenssens.
Kika Nazareth was trying to make something happen for Portugal but her quick feet on the edge of the box eventually came to nothing as half time approached.
Portugal had their best chance of the match so far nearing the 30 minute mark, winning a free kick on the left side. A fierce cross followed but Diana Gomes met the ball in the box and directed it wide. Portugal created another opportunity shortly after with a direct ball over the top. Diana Silva fired a near post shot on goal that was fumbled wide by Lichtfus.
Sadly Blom had to be withdrawn midway through the second half and left the pitch on a stretcher. Inter Milan’s Marie Detruyer replaced her on the pitch. A one two between Marchão and Nazareth almost unlocked the Belgium defence but the return pass was just overhit.
Portugal’s best opportunity of the first half came with moments remaining in the half. After Janice Cayman completely misjudged a ball forward, Ana Capeta stole in behind. Capeta attempted to loft the ball over the Belgian goalkeeper but woefully miscued her effort.
Belgium started the second half the quicker with Toloba finding space in the box but she could only drag her shot wide. Capeta once again was gifted with a golden opportunity shortly after. Nazareth slotted the ball into her path in the box, Capeta left the ball to run across her before Lichtfus made a smart save. Capeta, at the heart of everything near the opposition goal drove to the bye line just after and cut the ball back to Andreia Jacinto introduced at half time. Jacinto’s shot was blocked but Portugal were showing something more like the intensity required to have any chance of progressing.
Kika Nazareth was beginning to warm up, an excellent slice of skill saw her completely bamboozle the Belgium defence before her shot was blocked down. Nazareth was then played through on goal herself but Cayman made a vital block. Belgium continued to pose a threat on the break as Toloba flashed a shot over the bar.
Capeta came off for Portuguese icon Jéssica Silva with 35 minutes to play as Portugal sought to rescue their tournament. However the Red Flames, seemingly stunned Portugal as Wullaert broke with pace, playing a magnificent pass across goal and Toloba fired home past Patricia Morais. However a soft foul in the build up on Jacinto ruled the goal out after the referee was called to the screen for a VAR review.
Toloba was denied again shortly after, this time by the crossbar and once again it was Wullaert who delivered the cross. Toloba’s movement in the box won her the header that rattled the frame of the goal. Portugal got back on level terms with five minutes to play as Telma Encarnação recieved the ball from Nazareth and fired in at the near post to make it 1-1.
Wullaert should have made it 2-1 after Portugal were split open late on, but an excellent save from Morais denied the Belgium captain. Belgium would regain the lead with a deep cross finding Amber Tysiak who, without knowing much about it chested the ball into the back of the net.
However once again the Belgium goal was disallowed for interference on the line from Sari Kees this time. Not to be denied however Janice Cayman scored to ensure that Belgium won the match on the night. After Belgium wandered through the Portugal defence, Cayman shot once, it was blocked but she had all the time in the world to shoot again. This time she found the net.
The knockout stage eludes Portugal again
Since Portugal qualified for their first major tournament in 2017, they have now played at three other major tournaments. They have failed once again to make it out of the group. Portugal have now finished bottom of all three of their EUROs groups which is not good enough for a team with this much talent.
Much of the talk before the match was about whether Telma Encarnação should start. It is difficult to remedy the decision from Francisco Neto not to start Encarnação. Especially after Capeta missed a couple of guilt edged chances and Encarnação fired home her only opportunity, the decision will be questioned.
Portugal’s defence in this tournament has been at times woeful and it has to improve. It leaves you to ponder whether Neto’s reign as head coach however successful, may be nearing its end.
It must be noted the mitigating factor that Portugal have been a nation in mourning. It must have been extremely difficult for the player and staff who have shown huge heart throughout the tournament.
Belgium show their quality
Tessa Wullaert is always talked about as Belgium’s only star. However Belgium have demonstrated that some of their Red Flames still shine bright. Some excellent talents have donned Belgian colours this tournament with Jill Janssens, Amber Tysiak, Sari Kees, Hannah Eurlings, Marie Detruyer, Mariam Toloba, Jarne Teulings and Lisa Lichtfus all having an exciting future in the national team.
Key players such as Wullaert, Janice Cayman and Vanhaevermaet are closing in on the end of their international careers. This performance showed that there will remain hope even after they are gone.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Tessa Wullaert
The Inter Milan striker will be missed from this tournament. Wullaert is a magnificent striker and linked up all of Belgium’s play at the top of the pitch. She scored a wonderful goal and assisted Toloba with an inch perfect pass even if the goal was ruled out. Wullaert could have assisted another and would have but for the width of the post.
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