Portugal women out of Euro 2025 after 2-1 defeat against Belgium | OneFootball

A disappointing EURO 2025 tournament for “As Navegadoras” ended with defeat against Belgium in their final Group B encounter to leave the Seleção bottom of the section with just one point to show for their efforts in Switzerland.

Tessa Wullaert gave Belgium an early lead, which they held until the 87th minute when substitute Telma Encarnação equalised, only for Belgium to snatch the winner deep in stoppage time through Janice Cayman.

Neto’s last match?

Portugal coach Francisco Neto had been under pressure coming into the tournament, with the team showing worrying signs of going backwards in recent months, and it is difficult to see him surviving such a poor showing.

The 44-year-old has done an excellent job overseeing a tremendous evolution in the female Seleção during his long 12-year tenure, but he appears to have run out of ideas and his overreliance on the old guard has resulted in the team stagnating.

Neto’s women needed to beat by Belgium, preferably by several goals, and hope Spain dispatched Italy, also by several goals, to advance to the knockout phase.

Another false start

But as has happened so frequently in Portugal’s matches over recent months, the opposition started far more focused and looked better organised and more confident on the ball.

Patrícia Morais had already been given an early scare from a dangerous Vanhaevermaet cross, when in the fourth minute Jill Janssens’ cross was expertly turned home by the sliding Tessa Wullaert to give Belgium the lead.

The Belgians continued on top until midway through the first half when Portugal began to get a foothold in the match, Kika Nazareth at the heart of most of their best moments. Diana Gomes, Diana Silva and Kika all had half-chances to equalise but Belgium held firm to go into the break 1-0 up.

Neto brought on Andreia Jacinto and Lúcia Alves at the break for Andreia Norton and Catarina Amado, and in the second half Portugal were far more proactive. Ana Capeta missed a golden chance to equalise soon after the restart and Kika also came close as Portugal applied heavy pressure.

Toloba torments Portugal

However, the Seleção defence looked anything but solid, with Belgium creating real danger on the break. Toloba had the ball in the net midway through the second half, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Jacinto at the start of the move, and the unlucky Toloba then saw a header thud against the bar.

Kika creates, Telma finishes

To their credit Portugal never stopped running and were rewarded when a brilliant through ball by Kika found substitute Telma Encarnação who finished convincingly with her left foot.

Neto’s scarce use of Encarnação, clearly Portugal’s most potent forward for several years, despite her excellent showings on the rare occasions she has been afforded, is difficult to understand.

Kamikaze Portugal

The goal enthused Portugal but only exposed the lack of organisation and tactical intelligence as the team poured forward in search of a winner without rhyme or reason.

As a result, in stoppage time Belgium first had what looked like a certain Tessa Wullaert goal denied by a brilliant Patrícia Morais save, then scored only for the goal to be ruled out for offside by VAR.

But the Belgians were not to be denied and duly notched the winner with the Seleção defence at sixes and sevens, Janice Caymen netting as Portugal were unable to block a fast Belgium break.

Francisco Neto, Portugal coach:

“We made some early mistakes, we got nervous after Belgium scored and the first 20 minutes were not good. Afterwards we grew into the game and we started the second half very well after changing the system.

“We created a lot of clear chances, but we couldn’t finish them. We got the equaliser, but then, in our anxiety for more, we completely lost our balance and it was a crazy ending to the game, without any need. It’s not just our failings; you have to also give credit to the opposition.

“During our participation in this Euro our performance levels improved every match. But it’s undeniable that we failed our objectives. If I say this Euro was a failure it will be the headline in the papers tomorrow. We wanted more, we had ambition and courage, but we didn’t manage it.”

Portugal: Patrícia Morais, Carole Costa, Catarina Amado (Lúcia Alves, 46’), Diana Gomes, Joana Marchão (Dolores Silva, 79’), Fátima Pinto, Andreia Norton (Andreia Jacinto, 46’), Tatiana Pinto, Kika Nazareth, Ana Capeta (Jéssica Silva, 56’), Diana Silva (Telma Encarnação, 70’)

Belgium: Lisa Lichtfus, Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak, Laura Deloose, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Jill Janssens (Elena Dhont, 79’), Janice Cayman, Tessa Wullaert, Jarne Teulings (Davina Philtjens, 79’), Mariam Toloba, Jassina Blom