Belgium and Portugal bow out of Euro 2025, leaving fans in shock. Read our in-depth analysis of their performances and the implications for European football.
Introduction:
On a tense night at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Belgium delivered a dramatic 2-1 victory over Portugal in their final UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Group B clash—a result that extinguished Portuguese hopes of a maiden quarterfinal and sent both teams out of the tournament. In a match brimming with urgency, controversy, and late drama, Janice Cayman’s 96th-minute winner proved decisive, sealing Belgium’s only win of the campaign and leaving Portugal to rue missed chances and a tournament of “what ifsâ€.
Lightning Start: Wullaert Puts Belgium Ahead
With Portugal needing nothing less than victory—and a favor from Spain against Italy—to keep their knockout dreams alive, the pressure was palpable from the opening whistle. Yet it was Belgium, already eliminated, who struck first. Barely three minutes had elapsed when Jill Janssens burst down the right and delivered a pinpoint low cross. Captain Tessa Wullaert, ever the poacher, timed her run perfectly to slide in and steer the ball into the far corner, leaving Patricia Morais no chance and the Portuguese defense shell-shocked.
Belgium’s early goal set the tone for a frenetic opening quarter. The Red Flames pressed high, nearly doubling their lead when Wullaert’s incisive pass just eluded Justine Vanhaevermaet. Portugal, reeling, struggled to settle and found themselves repeatedly exposed down the flanks. See also: Athenea and Guijarro Inspire Spain’s 3-1 Triumph
Portugal’s Response: Frustration and Missed Opportunities
Gradually, Portugal regained composure, with Kika Nazareth orchestrating play from midfield. Diana Gomes squandered a promising chance from a clever free-kick routine, while Diana Silva forced a sharp save from Belgian goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus. The finishing touch, however, was lacking—a theme that would haunt Portugal all night.
The match took a somber turn midway through the first half when Belgian forward Jassina Blom suffered a painful injury and had to be stretchered off, briefly dampening the stadium’s energy. As the half wore on, Portugal’s urgency increased. Ana Capeta found herself one-on-one with Lichtfus but failed to convert, her attempted lob falling tamely into the keeper’s arms. By halftime, Belgium’s lead remained intact, and Portugal’s frustration was mounting. See also: Blackstenius and Asllani Leads Swedish Rout Over Stunned Germany 4-1
Second Half: End-to-End Chaos and VAR Drama
The second half exploded into a chaotic, end-to-end affair. Both sides threw caution to the wind, with defensive structure giving way to attacking ambition. Mariam Toloba squandered a golden chance for Belgium, firing over from close range, while Lichtfus again denied Capeta at the other end.
Belgium thought they had doubled their lead when Toloba slotted home after a sweeping move, only for VAR to rule out the goal for a foul in the buildup—a decision that left Belgian players and fans fuming. Minutes later, Toloba’s powerful header crashed against the crossbar, as Portugal’s defense lived dangerously.
Portugal’s attacks became more desperate, with Fátima Pinto heading over and Nazareth probing for openings. Yet, for all their possession, clear-cut chances remained scarce.
Late Drama: Encarnacao’s Lifeline and Cayman’s Killer Blow
With time running out, Portugal finally found a breakthrough. In the 87th minute, substitute Telma Encarnacao latched onto a sublime through ball from Nazareth and rifled a left-footed shot past Lichtfus, sending the Portuguese bench into wild celebration. For a brief moment, hope was rekindled—a lifeline for a side that had battled valiantly but so often lacked the final product.
But the euphoria was short-lived. As Portugal poured forward in search of a winner, Belgium struck on the counter. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, a scramble in the box saw the ball fall kindly to Janice Cayman, who kept her composure to smash home the winner. It was a cruel blow for Portugal, who saw their dreams evaporate in an instant, and a moment of redemption for Belgium, whose tournament had been plagued by misfortune and VAR interventions.
Tactical Overview: Belgium’s Ruthless Efficiency, Portugal’s Missed Moment
Belgium’s victory was built on clinical finishing and resilience under pressure. Wullaert’s leadership and Cayman’s experience proved invaluable, while Lichtfus’s saves kept Portugal at bay. The Red Flames also saw two goals ruled out by VAR, underlining their attacking intent and the fine margins that defined the contest.
For Portugal, the defeat was a microcosm of their campaign: bright spells of possession, moments of creativity from Nazareth and Silva, but ultimately undone by wastefulness in front of goal and defensive lapses at key moments. Coach Francisco Neto’s future now hangs in the balance, with questions swirling about the team’s direction after a winless tournament.
Key Moments
3’: Wullaert opens the scoring for Belgium, finishing Janssens’ cross.
First Half: Portugal missed several chances, Capeta denied twice by Lichtfus.
Second Half: Toloba’s goal ruled out by VAR; her header hits the bar.
87’: Encarnacao equalizes for Portugal with a clinical finish from Nazareth’s pass.
90+6’: Cayman pounces on a loose ball to win it for Belgium in stoppage time.
What It Means: Both Teams Bow Out, But Belgium Exit on a High
Despite the win, Belgium’s campaign ended in disappointment, as earlier defeats left them short of the knockout rounds. Wullaert and Cayman’s goals, however, ensure they leave Switzerland with pride restored and a sense of what might have been. Portugal, meanwhile, finished bottom of Group B, their hopes dashed by a combination of misfortune and missed opportunities. Spain and Italy advance, with Portugal and Belgium left to reflect on a tournament of fine margins and late heartbreak.
Player of the Match: Tessa Wullaert
The Belgian captain was everywhere—scoring the opener, creating chances, and leading by example. Her early goal set the tone, and her relentless drive inspired her teammates throughout a turbulent night.
Voices from Sion
Tessa Wullaert (Belgium captain): “We go out of the tournament, but it’s on a high. We deserved this after all the games we played. I don’t think the luck was on our side, and even today, we got two goals canceled.â€
Francisco Neto (Portugal coach): “We gave everything, but it just wasn’t enough. The girls fought to the end, and I’m proud of their spirit. But we must learn to take our chances at this level.â€
The Verdict: A Night of Drama, A Tournament of Lessons
The Stade de Tourbillon witnessed a classic Euro contest, full of twists, VAR drama, and late goals. Belgium’s resilience and Portugal’s fight ensured a spectacle befitting the stage, even as both sides bowed out. For Portugal, the pain of defeat will linger, but the lessons learned could yet shape a brighter future. For Belgium, Cayman’s last-gasp winner offers a bittersweet farewell and a reminder of their potential on the European stage.
