Belgium sign off with a win as Portugal miss chance after chance

Belgium 2 Portugal 1

July 11 – Belgium picked up their first win of Euro 2025 under the Friday night lights, beating Portugal 2-1 in Group B to bring an untimely end to both teams’ European campaigns in Sion.

Both sides came into the match searching for a first win, though Portugal still had a faint hope of qualification if Italy lost to Spain – which, ultimately, they did.

It was a nightmare start for Portugal, as Belgium captain Tessa Wullaert was first to react to a low cross into the box, diverting it beyond the outstretched hand of Patricia Morais and shifting Portugal’s battle from uphill to simply mountainous.

That joy was cut short as Belgian midfielder Jassina Blom had to be stretchered off half an hour later, though was seen with a large ice pack on her knee as she limped back to the dugout towards the end of the match.

Belgium’s lead held into the break, with momentum beginning to swing Portugal’s way as the half drew to a close.

Portugal coach Francisco Neto made a double substitution at half-time, but it was Belgium who came out sharper, as Mariam Toloba volleyed just wide of the right-hand post.

Portugal began the half moving well in attack, doing everything right — except finishing. A familiar story from the opening 45 minutes.

Kika Nazareth, so often surrounded by stars at Barcelona, struggled to carry the attacking load as Portugal’s leading light.

Having scored just once in their first two matches, Portugal again found themselves chasing efficiency in front of goal at the moment it mattered most. “I’m sure there won’t be a lack of shots on Friday,” midfielder Tatiana Pinto had told reporters before the match, highlighting the team’s offensive focus in training.

That finishing work never truly came to light in Sion, with poor decision-making and wayward execution leaving Portugal’s travelling support quietly underwhelmed, though they refused to show it.

It all looked over when Wullaert surged down the right and curled a brilliant low ball into the box for Toloba, who slammed it past Morais in the 64th minute. Portugal, who not only needed a win but a convincing one, looked finished.

But despair briefly turned to hope as VAR intervened, disallowing the goal due to a foul in the buildup. Referee Tess Olufsen ruled it out, keeping the score at 1-0.

Despite the reprieve, Portugal continued to struggle in front of goal, and their early exit felt inevitable. Yet, in the stands, Portuguese fans lit a brilliant green flare behind the Belgium goal, igniting the Sion sky.

You wouldn’t have guessed their team was heading for another group-stage exit. Once again, their support was unwavering and vibrant.

In the 87th minute, that support was finally rewarded. Telma Encarnacao, on as a sub, took one touch to set herself before firing low inside the near post, giving Portugal a late lifeline – and something to celebrate.

But Belgium weren’t finished. Wullaert whipped a dangerous cross into the box, sparking chaos as it pinballed off defenders and over the line via Amber Tysiak. The stadium erupted – until VAR ruled it out for a strange offside loophole, with Fatima Pinto technically having left the pitch by a fraction.

No matter. Seconds later, Belgium sealed the result for good. Janice Cayman capitalised on a sleepy Portugal defence, sliding the ball home to make it 2-1 and close out the match.

That was the final goal for either team in this European Championship adventure, brought to an end in the picturesque Sion countryside.

“First, we need to win the game,” Portugal coach Francisco Neto had said pre-match. “Everyone talks about goals, but above all, we have to try to win — with maximum respect for Belgium. But yes, we know that to go forward in the competition, we need to score goals.”

Portugal missed too many good chances that would have made all the difference. When the goal finally came, it was too little, too late.

Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1752324202labto1752324202ofdlr1752324202owedi1752324202sni@g1752324202niwe.1752324202yrrah1752324202