A goal from Mélanie Ribeiro, already in added time, gave the Portuguese under-17 women’s team victory against Belgium, who keep everything open in the group stage of the European Championship, taking place in Sweden.
After losing in their debut against world champion Spain (3-0), the team faced the second round of Group B in need of a good result, which they reached in the final moments, at 90’+3, after many attempts. .
With a superior game from Carolina Tristão, who was responsible for launching the team to success in the goal, Portugal suffered a lot to get the three points, in an almost one-way duel, in which they threw two balls into the woodwork.
The Portuguese team always lacked some discernment when finishing or making the last pass, although Francisca Castro, in the 27th minute, at the post, and Carolina Tristão, in the 46th minute, at the crossbar, came very close to scoring.
With Belgium retreating and taking only a few risks in the final half – in which they had Megan Watson in front of the goal (90’+1) and shooting very close to Thaís Lima’s post – it seemed unfair for Portugal not to win the match. meeting in Malmö.
Justice left the feet of Carolina Tristão, to whom the selector Carlos Sacadura gave the title, with the footballer, who was the best on the field, riding the field, opening with weight and measure for Matilde Vaz, who served Mélanie for a shot to the far post.
With one round to go, Portugal now has three points, the same as Spain and Poland, who still face each other today in the second round.
In the third round, the national team will face Poland, and Spain will face Belgium, with the first two in the group qualifying for the semi-finals.
