Portugal Crash Out of Euro 2025 After Late Defeat to Belgium

Portugal’s slim hopes of reaching the Euro 2025 quarter-finals were dashed after a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Belgium in their final Group B fixture in Sion.

Francisco Neto’s side went into the game needing not just a win, but also a heavy defeat for Italy at the hands of Spain to have any chance of progressing. However, Belgium—already eliminated after back-to-back losses—struck early and ultimately sealed all three points with a stoppage-time winner.

Captain Tessa Wullaert opened the scoring for Belgium just three minutes in, converting a low delivery from Jill Janssens. Although Telma Encarnacao gave Portugal late hope with an 87th-minute equaliser, Janice Cayman netted the decisive goal in the dying moments of stoppage time to ensure Belgium ended their campaign on a high.

Missed Chances and Disallowed Goals

After conceding early, Portugal had golden opportunities to level the match. Ana Capeta twice went close, failing to chip goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus before the break and then shooting straight at her shortly after the restart.

Belgium thought they had doubled their lead midway through the second half when Mariam Toloba found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check showed a foul in the build-up. Toloba later hit the woodwork with a header from a Wullaert cross.

The game’s chaotic ending saw Amber Tysiak have a goal chalked off for offside following another VAR review, before Cayman capitalised on a blocked shot to snatch victory in the final seconds.

With Spain beating Italy 3-1 in the group’s other match, Belgium climbed to third place with three points—one ahead of Portugal, who finished bottom of the group.

A Tournament of Heartbreak for Portugal

This marks another group stage exit for Portugal in a major women’s tournament. Despite showing resilience—evident in their late equaliser against Italy earlier in the week—they were ultimately undone by lapses in concentration and missed opportunities.

The team also had to cope with a tragic backdrop. Their Euro 2025 journey was overshadowed by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car accident shortly before the tournament kicked off.

Standout Performers

Tessa Wullaert once again demonstrated her importance to the Belgian side. Making her 14th consecutive tournament appearance since her debut in 2011, the 32-year-old added to her remarkable tally with her 94th international goal and continued to pose a constant threat in wide areas.

Match-winner Janice Cayman and Wullaert have now started every European Championship match for Belgium since 2017.

At the other end, Belgian goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus made six vital saves to keep Portugal at bay, while Patricia Morais marked her 100th appearance in goal for Portugal but was left with little to celebrate.

Key Statistics

• Portugal have now exited at the group stage in every major tournament they’ve qualified for: Euro 2017, Euro 2022, World Cup 2023, and Euro 2025.

• They’ve never kept a clean sheet in nine European Championship matches, conceding 23 goals—an average of 2.6 per game.

• Only Russia (15) have played more games in the competition without a shutout.

• Belgium’s last two competitive wins have both come against Portugal, including a 3-0 Nations League victory in June.

What’s Next?

Belgium now prepare for a Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against the Republic of Ireland in October, as they look to maintain their place in League A.

Portugal, having finished last in their Nations League group behind Spain, England, and Belgium, have already been relegated to League B.