The female Seleção began the road to the FIFA World Cup 2027 in positive fashion last night, with a 2-0 victory over Finland in Vizela.
Francisco Neto’s team left it late though, with both goals scored after the 90th minute.
To make it to the World Cup, to be hosted in Brazil, Portugal have to qualify from their four-team group and progress through two play-off rounds.
And the long route to the tournament seemed to be getting off to a rocky start against theoretically Portugal’s toughest opponent in Group B3.
Despite chances galore, the Seleção could not find the net with Diana Silva, Andreia Jacinto and Kika Nazareth denied by goal-line clearances or excellent saves by Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen.
When the referee ignored a loud shout for a penalty for a handball in the box in the 89th minute it seemed it would not be Portugal’s night.
Wonder goal breaks the deadlock
But in stoppage time substitute Lúcia Alves struck a stupendous long-range shot that fizzed into the net to finally break Finland’s resistance.
Momento 𝗺𝗮́𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗼 de Lúcia Alves 🪄😮💨#Canal11 #FutebolEmPortuguês pic.twitter.com/BkDux6W8jQ
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Oficial) March 3, 2026
Soon afterwards and Portugal doubled their lead as another substitute, Carolina Santiago, cleverly slid an angled shot into the net.
Primeiro golo de Carolina Santiago pelas #Navegadoras, na primeira vitória rumo à qualificação para o Mundial de 2027 👏🇵🇹#Canal11 #FutebolEmPortuguês pic.twitter.com/LWG98CygsX
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Oficial) March 3, 2026
Pereira penalty save
The frenetic stoppage-time action was not over yet as Finland were awarded a penalty, but goalkeeper Inês Pereira dived to her left to keep it out and make sure Portugal top the group after the first round of matches.
"Nope", disse Inês Pereira. 🚫🥶#Canal11 #FutebolEmPortuguês pic.twitter.com/w49NqpLsgn
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Oficial) March 4, 2026
In the other game in the group played yesterday, Slovakia beat Latvia 3-2. Next up for the Navegadoras is precisely the Slovaks, in Barcelos on Saturday.
