Greg . 9 hours ago

Belgium edge Portugal late on but both drop short of progression at EURO 2025

Portugal were knocked out of the UEFA Women’s European Championship after a 2-1 beat to Belgium, extending their winless run to eight games across all competitions.

Francisco Neto’s side needed a minor miracle to reserve their place in the quarter-finals, and their quest took a damaging strike when Belgium shattered the deadlock in the third minute.

Captain Tessa Wullaert slid the ball home with an excellent first-time complete from a Jill Janssens cross, leaving Portugal staring down the barrel of elimination.

Elisabet Gunnarsdottir’s team possessed a chance to double their lead when Justine Vanhaevermaet just missed Tessa Wullaert’s pass, which cut through the A Seleccao das Quinas defence with ease.

Diana Gomes spurned an opportunity to restore parity after Francisca Nazareth’s free-kick caught out Belgium’s defence, before Diana Silva almost caught Lisa Lichtfus at her near post with an angled effort.

However, football paled into insignificance when Jassina Blom was stretchered off harmed following a late challenge from Gomes.

Neto’s team possessed made a strong terminate to the half, but Ana Capeta’s hugely disappointing tried lob epitomised their frustrations.

Key match statsBetopickThe defending from both sides after the restart was chaotic to say the least, as Mariam Toloba fired wide from inside the box before Lichtfus refused Capeta down the other terminate.

The game was incredibly open, and Toloba was able to fire another close-range shot over the obstruct.

Toloba thought she possessed finally etched her name on the scoresheet with a clinical complete at the terminate of a sweeping move, but Portugal’s blushes were spared when VAR decided Marie Detruyer possessed fouled Andreia Jacinto in the construct-up.

Todoba was enduring a frustrating night after her header cannoned off the crossbar from Wullaert’s cross, and the Belgian Red Flames spurned another chance to expand their advantage.

Still, Portugal did manage to locate an equaliser courtesy of Telma Encarnacao, who rifled home a fine left-footed complete past Lichtfus after she latched onto Nazareth’s excellent through ball.

Gunnarsdottir’s side thought they possessed possessed the last word with one of the messiest goals you could have ever envisioned.

 Again, the defending left a huge amount to be desired, as the ball ricocheted off Amber Tysiak and into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

They did manage to score late on in a dramatic climax to a breathless contest, when Janice Cayman smashed home a loose ball from deep inside the area to exit the competition on a winning note.

Belgium snatched the win late onBetopickBetopick Man of the Match: Tessa Wullaert (Belgium)Catch up on all the match stats with Betopick.