The female Seleção began their first World Cup 2027 playoff with a thumping 4-0 win in Larne, Northern Ireland, to practically seal their place in the second and decisive qualification playoff for the tournament, to be held in Brazil next summer.
Francisco Neto’s team got off the perfect start when Jane McMaster gave away a penalty for a handball in the box in the fifth minute, which Telma Encarnação converted confidently.
Portugal were dominating possession and creating chances, and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead midway through the first half with the goal of the night. A quick passing move sliced through the Northern Irish defence, Encarnação’s cross expertly directed into the net off the underside of the bar on the run by Jéssica Silva.
Telma Encarnação 🤝 Jéssica Silva 🔥 Está feito o segundo golo de Portugal! #canal11 #futebolemportuguês https://t.co/yEQXcBua3J
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Oficial) October 9, 2026
It was soon 3-0, Rebecca Holloway turning Catarina Amado’s cross into her own net.
Portugal took their foot off the accelerator in the second half, and Northern Ireland may have sensed they could get something from the game when Catarina Amado was sent off in the 65th minute.
But the Seleção never lost control of the match, and scored a fourth goal in the 83rd minute when the home goalkeeper Jackie Burns misjudged a long-range effort by Fátima Pinto that bounced into the corner of the net.
The second leg will be a formality, played in Portimão on Tuesday.
The final hurdle Portugal women must overcome to book their place in what would be their second World Cup is likely to be against Iceland, who beat Croatia 4-0 away tonight, with the Seleção slated to face the victors of the tie.
Portugal XI: Inês Pereira, Catarina Amado, Diana Gomes, Carolina Correia, Joana Marchão (Nelly Rodrigues, 80'), Tatiana Pinto (cap.), Fátima Pinto, Andreia Jacinto (Dolores Silva, 86'), Andreia Faria (Andreia Norton, 66'), Jéssica Silva (Carolina Santiago, 80'), Telma Encarnação (Lúcia Alves, 66')
Goals:
[0-1] Telma Encarnação (pen), 8’
[0-2] Jéssica Silva, 22’
[0-3] Rebecca Holloway (own goal), 28’
[0-4] Fátima Pinto, 83’
