The Red Flames' disappointing start to the Nations League continued on Wednesday as they fell to Portugal 0-1 at their home ground, leaving them with no points after two matches. After narrowly losing to reigning world champions Spain, the team faced another frustrating evening, struggling to convert chances and contend with questionable officiated decisions – particularly around two penalty claims.
Just 18 minutes after kickoff, Portugal's Carole Costa found the back of the net from the penalty spot, awarded for handball by Belgian defender Amber Tysiak. This early setback set the tone for the match, as the Red Flames struggled to respond effectively. Despite the disappointing outcome, the game represented another chance for the team to showcase their potential under new head coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir.
The first half saw the pressure split evenly, with Belgium creating opportunities but failing to capitalize. Tessa Wullaert and Jill Janssens missed golden chances, hitting shots wide of the target. On the opposite side, the Portuguese threatened, with Joana Marchão hitting the woodwork just before the break. The first half ended at 0-0, which seemed fair considering the play. Yet, it came with mixed feelings as the Red Flames lost key player Saar Janssen to injury. Subsequently, Sari Kees was also benched, adding to the mounting worries for Gunnarsdottir.
Portugal picked up the momentum early in the second half. Within five minutes, the situation worsened for Belgium when Tysiak’s arm handled the ball inside the box, awarding the visitors another penalty. Costa confidently scored the resulting penalty, turning the match’s tide firmly against the Red Flames.
Gunnarsdottir’s players pushed back, desperately searching for an equalizer and showing resilience. Hannah Eurlings seemed to break the barrier when she was taken down inside the Portuguese penalty area, but the Greek referee Eleni Antoniou waved off the appeal. The hope for Belgium gradually turned to frustration, with the match officials facing scrutiny for their decisions throughout the evening.
With mere minutes left on the clock, the Belgian side pushed for one final assault. Despite intense pressure, including near misses from Justine Vanhaevermaet and Wullaert, the Flames could not find the net. The final score read 0-1, and the disappointment was palpable among both the players and the small crowd of 3,800 fans at Den Dreef, many of whom braved the rain to see the match.
The loss left Belgium lamenting missed opportunities and questionable calls, shadowing their potential under the new management of Gunnarsdottir. Post-match, the coach emphasized the need for her team to learn from their mistakes, stating, "We can lose games, but we must do it with dignity. We are building something, and we need to remain focused and resilient." The frustration was echoed by several players, who felt they deserved at least one penalty to balance the match.
Now, the Red Flames find themselves at the bottom of their group without any points, facing the challenge of remaining competitive within the higher tiers of the Nations League. With matches against the likes of the European champions England on the horizon, the pressure is increasing. They will need to reflect on their current performance levels and find the energy and tenacity to push back from this tough start.
Belgium's upcoming fixtures will significantly impact their fate within the group, as they strive to learn from each setback. The hope is to convert these lessons learned and turn their campaign around. The team, which has shown resilience and potential, will need to tap back onto it against their formidable opponents.