The Belgian women's national football team, known as the Red Flames, faced another setback on Wednesday night, succumbing to Portugal with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Den Dreef stadium in Louvain. This match marked the second round of Group A3 in the UEFA Nations League, leaving Belgium without any points following their previous loss to Spain.
The only goal of the match came from Portugal's Carole Costa, who confidently converted a penalty awarded just minutes after the second half commenced. The foul was committed by Amber Tysiak, whose handball led to the penalty kick. Costa expertly sent Belgian goalkeeper Lisa Lichtfus the wrong way, giving Portugal the lead just after the 50th minute.
Despite the loss, the match was closely contested throughout the first half. The Belgian squad started strong, with Sari Kees and Tessa Wullaert creating opportunities, but neither could find the target as both efforts went wide. On the other side, Portugal looked dangerous early, hitting the post within the first 11 minutes through Joana Marchao. At halftime, the 0-0 score seemed fair, reflecting the balanced nature of the game.
Post-match, the disappointment was palpable among the Red Flames, who aimed to bounce back and secure three points against Portugal. Coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir expressed frustration over the missed chances and the decision-making during the match. "We couldn’t convert our chances, and we need to improve our attacking play," she remarked.
Belgium also felt aggrieved about the refereeing decisions, as they were denied what appeared to be two clear penalty opportunities. Forward Hannah Eurlings was adamant, saying, "I thought it was clearly a penalty; I felt the contact and believe the entire stadium saw it too. It’s frustrating to lose on such terms when we deserved more from the match."
The Red Flames' latest defeat means they remain at the bottom of the group without any points, creating pressure as they prepare for two upcoming matches against England, the reigning European champions, on April 4th and 8th.
The match also highlights the competitive nature of Group A, which includes Spain, Portugal, and England, making the challenges formidable for the Red Flames as they look to secure their place. After having led 2-0 against Spain only to suffer a 2-3 defeat just days prior, the pressure is on for the Belgian team to rise from their current position.
For Portugal, this victory is significant, marking their first win of the tournament and placing them momentarily at the top of Group A3 with four points. Following this successful outing, they will prepare to face Spain, hoping to build on this momentum.
The Red Flames, meanwhile, must regroup and refine their game strategy. "We still aim for the third place, and we believe it’s achievable. It’s not over yet," Eurlings added, stressing the need to focus on the upcoming matches and learn from their setbacks.
Belgium’s next matches will be pivotal not only for their standing but also for building team morale after two consecutive losses. The players and coaching staff are determined to analyze their performances, rectify their mistakes, and regain their competitive edge as the tournament progresses.