Portugal picked up their first point at the 2023 UEFA European U21 Championship after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.

Celton Biai made an important save in Tbilisi before Rui Jorge’s side took the lead in the 20th minute, André Almeida producing a classy finish to convert Pedro Neto’s cross.

Brian Brobbey spurned a presentable chance in the second half but the Ajax striker wouldn’t be denied, scoring at the back post in the 78th minute after Wouter Burger headed a cornerdirectly into his path.

The Equipa das Quinas’ equation is simple, beat Belgium on Tuesday and hope the Netherlands don’t defeat Georgia, or get on the first plane home.

Portugal’s 2023 European U21 Championship campaign got off to a horror start in Tbilisi where they suffered a 2-0 defeat against co-hosts Georgia.

The Equipa das Quinas monopolised possession at Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena but couldn’t do anything with it, some sloppy defending resulting in two goals conceded before the break.

Giorgi Gagua outmuscled Tomás Araújo in the 37th minute and fired the ball into the bottom corner, Saba Sazonov left completely unmarked in added time when he headed a corner past Celton Biai.

Rui Jorge introduced Francisco Conceição and Henrique Araújo at the break, Conceição’s cross deflected off the bar representing the closest Portugal came to breaching Georgia’s determined defence.

Tomás Araújo’s evening went from bad to worse in the 76th minute when he received a straight red card and there was no way back. Jorge’s side face an uphill battle to reach the knockout rounds with Belgium and the Netherlands their next opponents in Group A.

Portugal equaled their best start to a European Championship qualifying campaign after beating Iceland 1-0 at Laugardalsvöllur.

It was a tight first half in Reykjavík before Roberto Martínez’s side stepped on the gas after the break, taking advantage after Willum Willumsson was sent off in the 80th minute.

It had to be Cristiano Ronaldo, the 38-year-old celebrating his 200th cap by scoring an 89th minute winner, his 123rd goal for the Seleção.

Portugal maintain their two point lead ahead of Slovakia at the top of Group J, their next match taking place in Bratislava in 8 September.

Portugal are making their final preparations for the 2023 UEFA European U21 Championship. The team gathered at Cidade do Futebol on June 7 before making the long trip to Tbilisi on June 15.

Sixteen nations are competing in Romania and Georgia with Rui Jorge' side attempting to lift the trophy for the first time.

The “Equipa das Quinas” have been drawn in Group A alongside Georgia, Belgium and Netherlands. They begin their campaign against the co-hosts in Tbilisi on Wednesday 21 June.

Portugal have reached two of the previous four finals, going down in a penalty shootout against Sweden in 2015 and losing 1-0 against Germany in 2021.