Wild final phase in Sion: Belgium says goodbye victoriously

Belgium bids farewell to Switzerland with a win. IMAGO/Sportpix

Portugal's remaining chances of reaching the quarterfinals were minimal, and the starting position was clear: Italy had lost to Spain in their parallel match, while the Portuguese had to make up six goals against Italy against Belgium. Portugal coach Francisco Neto fielded almost the same starting eleven as in the 1-1 draw with Italy , with only Catarina Amado replacing the suspended Ana Borges.

Belgium, on the other hand, had no chance of advancing after their 6-2 defeat to Spain , but Elisabet Gunnarsdottir nevertheless relied on the same starting lineup for the third time at this European Championship. Almost, anyway: New Union player Eurlings initially sat on the bench, with Blom taking her place in the two-man attack.

Portugal should have seized the initiative from the start to preserve their slim chance of reaching the knockout rounds. However, the Southern Europeans seemed inhibited, allowing Belgium to take control. In the third minute, Wullaert slid a cross from Hoffenheim's Janssens over the line to give the Belgians a deserved lead. However, there was only one more threat, when Vanhaevermaet narrowly missed a strong pass from Wullaert (11').

Around the half-hour mark – also influenced by the injury-related substitution of Belgium's Blom (34th minute) – Portugal found their way into the game much better, pressing Belgium deep back and increasingly developing a sense of joy. Diana Gomes headed a free-kick wide to the left without being challenged (28th minute), Ana Capeta's lob was denied by goalkeeper Lichtfus (45th+3'). Otherwise, the Belgian defense held firm under pressure and held on to their narrow lead going into the break.

After the break, the first chance also belonged to Belgium, with Toloba firing just wide (47'). Portugal then launched an attack, but the Belgian goal seemed sealed. First, Ana Capeta was denied by the goalkeeper when she was one-on-one with Lichtfus (48'). Shortly after, Kika missed the equalizer, but Cayman threw himself in front of her shot at the last moment (52').

At the other end, the Belgians were repeatedly offered space to counterattack. And they knew how to take advantage of it: Wullaert sent Toloba on her way with a dream cross, who volleyed into the right corner (64'). However, VAR disallowed the goal due to a foul. Later, the crossbar saved Portugal from a final elimination, with Toloba again the victim (77').

The game seemed decided and plodding along before events took another turn for the worse in the closing stages. In the 87th minute, Telma finally equalized for Portugal, but it didn't last long. Belgium attacked furiously again, but Wullaert was denied by a strong save from Patricia Morais (90th minute). However, the Portuguese goalkeeper miscued from the ensuing corner and was lucky that Tysiak's goal was ruled out by VAR for an offside position by Kees (90th+2).

stadium	Tourbillon Stadium
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