THE OTHER NATIONAL TEAM · PORTUGAL
During the men’s World Cup, FemGol will trace the history of some of the women’s national teams from the countries taking to the pitch. Because a country’s football doesn’t fit in a single team.
Portugal face another decisive match with Cristiano Ronaldo once again at the centre of attention. But one of the World Cup records that belonged to the Portuguese captain for years is now held by a woman.
On 27 July 2023, Kika Nazareth scored Portugal’s second goal against Vietnam. At 20 years and eight months, she became the youngest Portuguese player to score at a World Cup, across both the men’s and women’s national teams. Cristiano Ronaldo had set the previous record in 2006, when he scored against Iran at the age of 21 years and four months.
The goal did more than take Ronaldo’s record. Portugal’s 2-0 victory was also the women’s national team’s first at a World Cup.
The Navegadoras had begun the tournament with a narrow defeat against the Netherlands. After beating Vietnam, they reached their final group match with a clear opportunity: victory over the United States would eliminate the winners of the previous two editions and send Portugal into the round of 16 on their debut.
In stoppage time, Ana Capeta ran in behind the defence, entered the penalty area and sent her shot beyond Alyssa Naeher. The goalkeeper was beaten, but the ball struck the post. The match finished 0-0. Portugal went out and the United States advanced by a matter of centimetres.
It was an ending that suited the history of a team accustomed to reaching the elite by the longest possible route.
Portugal did not appear at a major tournament until Women’s EURO 2017. To qualify, they had to overcome Romania in a play-off that finished 1-1 after extra time. Andreia Norton’s goal sent Portugal through on the away-goals rule, a tiebreaker that no longer exists.
Major tournaments have since become familiar territory. Under Francisco Neto, Portugal have competed in three consecutive European Championships and the 2023 World Cup. Before 2017, they had never appeared at either tournament.
But they have rarely taken the direct route.
To make their World Cup debut, Portugal had to defeat Belgium, overcome Iceland after extra time and travel to New Zealand for a third play-off against Cameroon. The match was level when Carole Costa converted a penalty in the 94th minute and sent Portugal to Australia and New Zealand.
Three play-offs for one ticket. Then came the first victory, Kika’s record and the post that almost eliminated the United States.
The road to Brazil 2027 is no straighter. Portugal began qualifying in League B and won five of their six matches against Finland, Slovakia and Latvia. They finished first with 15 points, 17 goals scored and four conceded, despite losing 3-1 in Finland on the final matchday. Winning the group earned promotion to League A, but not direct qualification for the World Cup.
They will face Northern Ireland in October. Should they advance, Portugal will meet either Croatia or Iceland between late November and early December. The seven highest-ranked winners from the second round will qualify directly for Brazil; the eighth will have to enter the inter-confederation play-off.
While Portugal’s men fight for their World Cup future against Spain today, their other national team once again stand before a door that rarely opens at the first attempt.
Kika Nazareth belongs to a generation no longer satisfied with merely coming close. Portugal waited until 2017 to reach a major tournament, but have since played at three European Championships and one World Cup.
They do not know the short route. What they have learned is how to keep moving along it.
