Portugal out of Euro 2025 after defeat by Belgium

Yahoo

11-07-2025

Belgium have only won three of their nine games under Elisabet Gunnarsdottir [Getty Images]
Portugal's faint hopes of reaching the Euro 2025 quarter-finals ended as they were beaten by Belgium in their final group stage game.
To go through as Group B runners-up, they needed to beat Belgium, and hope Italy lost to Spain with a six-goal swing.
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But Belgium, already eliminated after defeats by Spain and Italy, took control after three minutes in Sion as captain Tessa Wullaert turned home a low cross from Jill Janssens.
Though Telma Encarnacao equalised for Portugal with three minutes remaining, Belgium secured all three points through Janice Cayman, who struck deep in stoppage time.
After Portugal went behind early to Wullaert's goal, Ana Capeta passed up two gilt-edged chances to equalise - first failing to lift the ball over Lisa Lichtfus before the break and then failing to beat the Belgium goalkeeper at her near post minutes after the restart.
Portugal were handed a reprieve when Mariam Toloba's goal for Belgium was chalked off for a foul on Andreia Jacinto in the build-up, after referee Tess Olofsson reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
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Belgium and Toloba were denied a second again when the striker headed Wullaert's cross against the woodwork before Encarnacao's equaliser.
Amber Tysiak thought she had given Belgium the lead again in stoppage time, only for it be ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee review - but then came Cayman's dramatic winner.
With Spain beating Italy 3-1 in the other fixture, Belgium took third place in Group B with three points - one behind the Italians - while Portugal finished bottom with one point.
What was the main talking point?
It was another game filled with plenty of late drama for Portugal, who had maintained hopes of going through when Diana Gomes scored late to rescue a 1-1 draw against Italy on Monday.
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But in their final group outing, Francisco Neto's side took time to recover from Wullaert's early goal for Belgium.
Though much improved after the restart, Portugal had to ride their luck before Encarnacao's late equaliser but that was far from the final twist in the game.
Tysiak's goal for Belgium was ruled out for offside in added time before Cayman scored, after seeing her initial attempt blocked in front of the goal by Carole Costa, to help Gunnarsdottir's side end their campaign on a positive note.
Portugal, meanwhile, completed a difficult and emotional campaign, that was overshadowed by the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash days before the Euro 2025 opener against Spain.
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Which players stood out?
Wullaert continues to shoulder Belgium's goalscoring responsibility 14 years on from her international debut, scoring her 94th goal for her country.
The former Manchester City striker, 32, scored five goals during the qualification campaign to help Belgium reach their third successive European Championship.
And in what could be her final Euro appearance, Belgium's all-time record goalscorer not only bagged her first goal in the competition since 2017 but also created plenty of chances for her team-mates after drifting into wide areas.
She has been involved in 19 goals in her past 13 appearances for Belgium, with 11 goals and eight assists.
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Wullaert, along with match-winner Cayman, have started every game for their country at the Euros since their tournament debut in 2017.
While Portugal goalkeeper Patricia Morais could make little impact on her 100th international appearance, her counterpart Lichtfus was key to Belgium's victory by making six saves.
The standout stats
The result means Portugal are yet to reach the knockout rounds of a major tournament, exiting at the group stage at the Euro 2017, Euro 2022, World Cup 2023 and now Euro 2025.
Only Russia (15) have played more games at the European championship without ever keeping a clean sheet than the Portuguese (nine), who have conceded 23 goals in total, an average of 2.6 per game, which is the highest of any nation to appear at more than one edition of the tournament.
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Both of Belgium's most recent competitive wins have come against Portugal with them also winning 3-0 in a Nations League fixture in June.
What is next for these teams?
Belgium will return to Nations League action in October when they bid to stay in League A by beating the Republic of Ireland in a two-leg promotion/relegation play-off.
Meanwhile, Portugal, who finished last behind Spain, England and Belgium in their Nations League group last month, have already been relegated to League B.
Where next?