Match Review: Portugal vs. Belgium

01/02/2025 19:30

Universitario Lisboa

Ref: Shota Tevzadze

Portugal

Rugby Europe Championship

40

30

Round 1

Belgium 2

Moura (1', 55'), Marta (7', 46'), Pinto (26'), Andrade (33')

Tries

Remue (17'), Hendrickx (40'), Clercq (70')

Marques (2', 9', 34', 47', 56')

Conversions

Francq (18', 41', 71')

Penalties

Francq (15', 24', 59')

With what happened at teh last REC in Mons. Were Portugal going to let slip their home advantage for the start of the REC. After the start Germany made against Romania on Friday Night, Portugal did not leave any chance for Belgium to get their feet under the table, running in a try after 1 minute, then followed up 6 minutes later to put them 14-0 ahead after the 9th minute conversion.

However, Belgium settled into the game and started to force penalties against Portugal where Hugo de Francq set to work and slotted the first of his 3 penalty kicks of the evening. The penalty count began to hurt Portugal with Belgium getting a converted try Florian Remue. Not long after, Hugo de Francq knocked over his second penalty of the evening, to put the score 14-13. With Belgium, getting the wind back in their sails, could they really keep the foot down and control the game. 24 minutes had gone, and they were back with in a point of repeating what happened last year?

In a game, that seemed to be in time blocks for each team. Portugal took the control back and scored a try 2 minutes later but Samuel Marques miss the conversion to stretch the lead. The lead grew again on the 33rd minute through Jose de Andrade. This time Samuel marques did not miss the conversion, to put Portugal back in the driving seat. Surely they will keep the lead, and make sure with their metres made and clean break stats to prove that.

However, the Belgians were back and got a converted try on half time through Maximilien hendrickx, who had a great performance in the heart of the pack. With the score back to 26-20 at half time. The Belgians were firmly back in the tie. But a early second half try from Rodrigo Marta to bring up his brace and Samuel marques slotting the conversion. Portugal had a 13 point lead to push on with.

Portugal swapped out their front row, to ensure a constant contest which ended with a 100% scrum win percentage for both teams on a very physical evening of rugby. The Belgian discipline slipped though with a yellow card for Charlesty Berguet on 54 minutes. Portugal capitalised with Joris Moura getting his brace on the 55th minute, with Samuel Marques kicking the points again. The score sat at 40-20 after 56 minutes. Portugal had 24 minutes to see out the match and avenge last years defeat.

But once again, 3 minutes later Belgian were handed the chance to add 3 points from the boot of Hugo de Francq. Hugo kindly obliged for Belgium to keep the chase on. Both teams bgan to empty the benches for the final 20 minute onslaught. The changes worked for Belgium, as they added another try on the 70th minute and de Francq slotted the conversion again. With 9 minutes to play, Portugal lead 40-30. With a further 3 switches from Portugal, on the 75th minute, Jose Madeira got a yellow, which left Portugal with 5 minutes to lock out Belgium. Gladly for Portugal, they saw out the job. With a fierce battle, with 249 tackles but only 28 missed from both sides, it was a true dogged battle. Nicolas Martins's 24 tackles, and a 92.86% success rate, showed the levels that Portugal had to maintain and keep Belgium at bay.

Portugal host Germany on Sunday evening, while Belgium host Romania. Both Portugal and Romania will have eyes on securing their top 2 spots, before facing off against each other in the final game of the Pool.

Pool B

#	Team	PL	W	L	D	PD	BP	PTS
1	Romania	1	1	0	0	38	1	05
2	Portugal	1	1	0	0	10	1	05
3	Belgium	1	0	1	0	-10	0	00
4	Germany	1	0	1	0	-38	0	00