Belgium Defeat Portugal in Thriller, But Both Exit EURO 2025

Portugal’s journey in the UEFA Women’s European Championship 2025 came to a heartbreaking end as they were eliminated following a 2-1 defeat to Belgium. The loss marked Portugal’s eighth consecutive match without a win, highlighting a difficult stretch for Francisco Neto’s side. Needing nothing short of a miracle to qualify for the quarter-finals, Portugal’s hopes were crushed early when Belgium scored in just the third minute of the game.

The early breakthrough came courtesy of Belgian captain Tessa Wullaert, who delivered a perfect first-time finish from a low cross by Jill Janssens. The goal set the tone for the match and immediately put Portugal under pressure. Belgium continued to push forward, with Justine Vanhaevermaet nearly connecting with another dangerous pass from Wullaert. The move sliced through the Portuguese defense, exposing their vulnerabilities.

Portugal, however, did have their moments. Diana Gomes squandered a good chance when she failed to convert a clever free-kick routine initiated by Francisca Nazareth. Diana Silva also went close with a sharp, angled effort, forcing a smart save from Belgian goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus. But despite the attacking intent, the finishing touch was missing.

The match took a serious turn when Belgian forward Jassina Blom suffered a painful injury after a challenge from Gomes and had to be stretchered off. The incident briefly dampened the atmosphere, but Portugal regained some control toward the end of the first half. Still, Ana Capeta’s botched lob attempt just before the break summed up the frustration within the team, as promising plays often lacked execution.

The second half began in a similarly chaotic fashion. Both teams struggled to maintain structure at the back, creating an end-to-end flow with frequent turnovers. Mariam Toloba of Belgium missed a golden opportunity from inside the box, while at the other end, Capeta was again denied by Lichtfus.

The match remained open, with both sides pushing for a breakthrough. Toloba continued to find herself in promising positions, but her luck was out. She fired another shot over the bar from close range and later thought she had scored when she slotted the ball in following a sweeping move. However, VAR disallowed the goal due to a foul by Marie Detruyer on Andreia Jacinto during the buildup — a call that left Belgian players and fans frustrated.

Toloba’s misfortunes didn’t end there. Her powerful header from yet another Wullaert cross struck the crossbar, denying her again. Belgium wasted several chances to extend their lead and were made to pay temporarily when Portugal equalized.

Portugal’s equalizer came through Telma Encarnacao, who struck a brilliant left-footed shot past Lichtfus. The goal came from an excellent through ball by Nazareth, who had been one of Portugal’s brightest players on the night. The equalizer brought the game to life and gave Portugal a glimmer of hope.

Gunnarsdottir’s side then believed they had gone ahead after a bizarre goal that saw the ball ricochet off Amber Tysiak and into the net. However, once again, VAR intervened and ruled the goal offside, sparking more disappointment for the Portuguese team.

Ultimately, it was Belgium who had the final say. In the dying moments of the match, Janice Cayman pounced on a loose ball inside the box and smashed it home, securing a dramatic late win. Although the victory gave Belgium something to celebrate, it wasn’t enough for them to progress in the tournament either, as both teams exited from EURO 2025 despite the entertaining and fiercely contested match.