The final whistle blew, a heavy silence settling over the stadium. Coach Francisco Neto, his face a canvas of quiet frustration, didn’t shy away from the hard truth. He stepped forward, taking full responsibility for his squad’s exit from the European Championship after their battle with Belgium.
“After every major tournament, our Federation goes through a deep review,” Neto explained, his voice calm but firm. “We figure out what’s next for the future. This time will be no different.” He believes this is the right way to work, always looking at things in two-year cycles. “One cycle ends, another begins,” he added. “We have time for this reflection. I always want to be part of the solution, never the problem.”
He looked back at the tournament, seeing it as a mixed bag. “Our performance and competitiveness were right where we needed them, and they kept getting better,” he noted. The team started slow but found their rhythm, improving their defense and creating more scoring chances. Yet, a shadow loomed: “Our mistakes cost us dearly. We made some individual errors and some as a team. That really unsettled us.” He pointed to goals conceded too early as a major hurdle. “To compete at this level, you can’t give away goals so quickly. And for that, I am always the one accountable.”
Unwavering Dedication
Despite the early exit, Neto spoke with genuine pride about his players. He praised their spirit and effort against the Belgian side. “They wanted more. They were ambitious. They had the courage to believe they could achieve something truly special,” he shared. “All the credit goes to them for the legacy they’ve built.” He acknowledged the sting of criticism that often follows defeat. But he framed it differently. “When things don’t go your way, criticism is normal. But it also means we’re chasing things that nobody dared to dream of 11 years ago.”
His voice softened as he spoke of their commitment. “I am so proud of how they gave everything, how dedicated they were,” he said. The sadness visible on the players’ faces matched the sheer effort they put in. “They gave their absolute best. Maybe in some moments, we weren’t sharp enough, but when it comes to their heart and dedication, nobody can touch that.”
