Portugal Defeat Spain 35-29 to Make Handball World Cup History

Portugal have qualified for the Handball World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in history, defeating Spain 35-29 in a thrilling match.

Portugal made history by qualifying for the Handball World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, following a thrilling 35-29 victory over Spain. This triumph extended Portugal's unbeaten run to five matches, marking a significant milestone in their campaign.

Spain, reeling from their previous defeat to Norway, aimed to stay alive in the competition. Despite never having lost to Portugal in the World Cup, they faced a determined Portuguese side. The first half was a closely contested battle, with both teams vying for tactical supremacy.

Initially, Portugal started strong, but their attack lost momentum due to errors from top scorers Francisco Costa and Martim Costa. Spain capitalized on this, taking a commanding 12-8 lead. However, they failed to maintain their advantage, and by halftime, their lead had narrowed to a single goal.

PORTUGAL HAVE DONE IT

They claim a spot in the QF! pic.twitter.com/4m7vChOSmc

— (Un)informed Handball Hour (@HandballHour) January 24, 2025

The second half saw Spain regain a three-goal advantage, but Portugal's fortunes soon changed. Francisco Costa scored five of Portugal's six goals, posing a significant threat to the Spanish defense. Spain's woes were compounded by numerous suspensions, and Rema Marques' impressive 38% saving efficiency, which included 12 saved shots, helped Portugal secure a decisive 35-29 victory.

This triumph propelled Portugal to the top of the group standings with seven points, while Spain's chances of advancing hung in the balance. Portugal became the fourth team to qualify for the quarter-finals, joining Denmark, France, and Germany in the next stage of the competition.