The Portugal women’s national football team, also known as Seleção Feminina, represents Portugal in international women’s football. The team is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and has made significant progress in recent years, with a steady rise in the FIFA rankings.
Portugal Women’s Football Team
The team was established in 1981, and it wasn’t until 1994 that they played their first official international match against Spain, which ended in a 3-1 defeat. The team struggled in its early years, failing to qualify for major international tournaments and often losing by significant margins. However, over the years, the team has shown tremendous improvement, with a new generation of talented players emerging to lead the way.
One of the standout players for Portugal is forward and captain, Cláudia Neto. Neto has been a key player for the team for many years and has scored some crucial goals, including the winning goal against Scotland that secured Portugal’s place in the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro tournament.
Another player to watch is winger, Diana Silva. Silva has also been instrumental in Portugal’s recent success, with her speed and technical ability on the ball causing problems for opposing defenders.
In recent years, Portugal has achieved some significant milestones, including their first-ever qualification for a major international tournament at the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro. Although the team didn’t progress past the group stage, it was a significant achievement for women’s football in Portugal.
Portugal continued to build on this success and made it to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in the team’s history. The team put in some strong performances, including a 2-1 win over Scotland, but ultimately failed to progress past the group stage.
The team’s recent success has also been reflected in their rise up the FIFA rankings. In 2019, they reached their highest-ever ranking of 30th in the world, and they currently sit at 33rd.
Despite their recent success, the Portugal women’s national team still faces many challenges. The team continues to fight for equal pay and better facilities, and there is still a long way to go before women’s football in Portugal reaches the same level of support and recognition as men’s football.
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Overall, the Portugal women’s national football team has made significant progress in recent years, and their recent achievements have given hope to women’s football in Portugal. With a talented squad and a strong work ethic, the team is poised to continue its upward trajectory and make even greater strides in the future.