Portugal v Belgium: UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group B
Janice Cayman scored an injury-time winner against Portugal to help Belgium win their first game of Euro 2025, but both sides have been knocked out in the group stage.
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Belgium struck early, with captain Tessa Wullaert toe-poking home in the third minute after a slick move involving Jassina Blom and right-back Jill Janssens.
Portugal dominated possession early on but Belgium grew into the game, regularly threatening in the final third. Blom was stretchered off due to what looked like a serious injury to her left knee in the 34th minute. Portugal switched gears before the break in search of a leveler, but Ana Capeta missed a big chance to equalise in the third minute of first-half stoppage time when she failed to convert a one-on-one.
Portugal head coach Francisco Neto made two changes at the break in a bid to change the dynamic of the game, but Belgian keeper Lisa Lichtfus stayed solid, commanding her area with authority. Mariam Toloba, who was a star for Belgium on the evening, missed a clear opportunity from ten yards out and later had a goal ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up from substitute Marie Detruyer. Portugal eventually equalised in the 87th minute through Telma Encarnacao after a sublime pass from Kika Nazareth.
Belgium thought they had won it again in stoppage time through defender Amber Tysiak, only for another VAR intervention to rule out the goal. That was not where the drama would end, though. Veteran Cayman drove the ball towards the box with a surging run and then delivered the winner in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time. Elisabet Gunnarsdottir's side bowed out of the tournament on a sweet note, having lost their previous two group games.
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THE MVP
While Wullaert and Cayman got themselves on the scoresheet for Belgium, it was Toloba who was responsible for the majority of the danger Gunnarsdottir's troops managed to create in the final third. She often dropped deep to help with the build-up and used her physique to good advantage while operating smoothly in tight spaces. The Nantes striker was heavily involved in playmaking, while also nearly finding the back of the net on a couple of occasions. At times, she was simply unstoppable.
THE BIG LOSER
Capeta endured a frustrating evening playing in a front-two alongside Diana Silva. The 27-year-old found herself one-on-one with Lichtfus at the stroke of half-time but sent her effort straight into the hands of the Belgium goalkeeper. In the second half, she had another goalscoring opportunity from point-blank range, but her effort was once again saved by Lichtfus. While credit must go to the Le Havre keeper, Capeta should have done better on both occasions, as her goals could have earned Portugal a chance to win the game and potentially progress to the knockouts.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Although Belgium won the game, they will not progress to the quarter-finals. Neither will Portugal, who ended their campaign winless and exit the tournament by finishing at the bottom of Group B. Spain and Italy have progressed to the next round.
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MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐
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