The young Red Flames remain behind with 0 points after 2 games at the U17 European Championship in Sweden and no longer have a chance to advance. Just like in the first match against Poland, the score was 1-0 against Portugal. After Belgium missed a huge chance in extra time, number 9 Mélanie Florentino scored.
Portugal had the upper hand against Belgium with 60 percent ball possession, 19 shots, of which 7 were on target. Compared to 1 in 7 for the young Flames.
In an exciting final phase, Portugal threatened, but the Belgians turned a blind eye again in the 90th minute. A clever attack created a free Belgian shooting opportunity, but the decision was too hasty.
A minute later the ball was in the Belgian net. Florentino controlled a ball from the left well in the box and cleverly placed the ball past goalkeeper Waldbillig. The Belgians were left behind in mourning.
Belgium will play against world champions and European vice-champions Spain on Sunday, but that match no longer matters.
There are 2 groups: Sweden, Norway, England and defending champion France are in the other group. The top 2 go to the semi-finals. The 2 finalists and the winner of the match for 3rd place can go to the World Cup in the fall.
2nd time final round
The team of national coach Lenie Onzia qualified in mid-March with a goal in the final minute in the crucial last group match of the last qualifying round against Croatia (1-0 win).
As a result, the young Red Flames were crowned winners in a group that also included Hungary and Austria.
The Belgian U17 girls’ team was able to qualify for the European Championship final round only once before. In 2013, Belgium finished fourth and last in what was then a main tournament with barely four participating countries.
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