Finland's World Cup Hopes Take Hit as Portugal Score Late

Portugal edge Finland 2-0 in late drama

Portugal beats Finland 2-0 in World Cup qualifier, thanks to late goals from Lucia Alves and Carolina Santiago.

Portugal tops Group B3 after 2-0 win over Finland, with late goals deciding the match...

Finland's hopes were dashed by two late goals, as Portugal snatched a 2-0 win in Vizela, kicking off their World Cup qualifier campaign in Group B3 with a defeat. The Finns had put up a gutsy fight, but Portugal's added-time strikes proved decisive.

The top three teams in League B will advance to the Playoffs, and with promotion to League A on the line, Finland will be kicking themselves over those dropped points. Every match counts in this qualifying campaign, and they'll be looking to bounce back strong.

Taking something from their trip to top seeds Portugal in their opener would represent a positive result, and that's what the Finns were hanging onto, as they limited their hosts to a pair of efforts on goal before the hour-mark from Andreia Faria and Diana Silva, and Anna Koivunen was equal to both.

Diana Gomes was looking threatening for the home side, while Joana Marchao made sure Koivunen's night wasn't getting any easier, as Finland finally forced Portuguese goalkeeper Ines Pereira into a save through substitute Adelina Engman's effort.

Karvasta kalkkia loppuhetkillä.

MM-karsinnat jatkuvat kotikentällä lauantaina. Latvia-ottelu pelataan Helsingissä Bolt Arenalla - tervetuloa kannustamaan Suomi voittoon! 💙

🎟️ https://t.co/V1IZpS2RAz #Helmarit #MeOlemmeSuomi #PORFIN pic.twitter.com/KGPCVd0vCh

— Helmarit (@HelmaritFI) March 3, 2026

Finland's resistance was cruelly broken in the 91st minute, as Kika Nazareth's pass found Lucia Alves, who powered home her third goal for Portugal. The goal was a sucker punch for the Helmarit, who had held on for much of the game.

Portugal's second goal came courtesy of Nazareth's second assist in three minutes, as she set up Carolina Santiago for her first international goal - and it came just a minute after Alves' strike, in the 93rd minute, dealing a harsh blow to Finland's chances.

Added time got even more dramatic, with Tatiana Pinto fouling Engman in the box, but Eveliina Summanen's penalty was off target. Portugal's win was finally sealed with that 2-0 scoreline, putting them top of the group on goal difference after Slovakia beat Latvia 3-2 earlier today.