The Women’s Under-19 team from Northern Ireland faced a tough challenge in their UEFA WU19 Euro 2026 qualifier. They were narrowly edged out by Portugal, losing 0-1 in a closely contested match held in Oeiras, Portugal.
Match Overview
The match took place on April 12, 2026, at the Cidade do Futebol. This was the first game for manager Gail Redmond and her squad in the League A Group 7 mini-tournament, which also features reigning champions Spain and Hungary.
Key Details
- Competition: UEFA WU19 Euro 2026 R2 qualifiers, League A Group 7
- Final Score: Northern Ireland WU19s 0 – 1 Portugal WU19s
- Scorer: Joana Valente (37’ penalty)
- Venue: Cidade do Futebol, Oeiras
- Date: April 12, 2026
Match Highlights
Portugal’s Joana Valente initiated the scoring with a penalty kick in the 37th minute after Northern Ireland’s Zara Boyd was penalized. Despite a few promising chances, including efforts from Niamh Boothroyd and Rhianna Breen, Northern Ireland could not find the equalizer.
Second Half Action
The second half saw Northern Ireland create more opportunities, but Portugal’s defense remained solid. Kate Smith, the Northern Ireland goalkeeper, was key in preventing further goals, making crucial saves against close-range attempts from Luana Bessa.
- Gracie Conway and Emily Cassap showed determination, working together to create scoring chances.
- Despite pushing forward, Northern Ireland struggled to convert their efforts into goals.
Post-Match Comments
After the match, Gail Redmond expressed her satisfaction with the team’s discipline and work rate but emphasized the need for improvement in decision-making and quality during transitions.
Upcoming Challenge
Following this match, Northern Ireland’s WU19s are set to face top seeds Spain on April 15, 2026. Spain, who recently won their fourth consecutive WU19 Euros title, defeated Hungary 3-0 in their opening match.
This upcoming game, scheduled for 11 am BST at Nacional Do Jamor, will be another significant test for Northern Ireland as they continue their campaign in the Euro qualifiers.
