Portugal’s women’s national team just snagged the GoldenCat trophy. They beat the host team, Catalonia, in a nail-biting finish. The match ended in a 3-3 tie after both regular time and extra time. Then, Portugal sealed the win 2-1 in a direct free-kick shootout.
This victory is great news for the squad, managed by Ricardo Barreiros. They are currently gearing up for the European Championship, which will be held in Paredes. The Portuguese team hasn’t lifted the European title since 2001, so this win definitely boosts their spirits.
During the game, Leonor Coelho netted two goals, and Raquel Santos added another for Portugal. After a scoreless extra period, the tension rose for the free-kick tiebreaker. Inês Severino and Raquel Santos both scored crucial shots. Goalkeeper Sandra Coelho put on a fantastic display, making key saves to secure the win.
The team will hit the pitch for the European Championship in Paredes on September 8. Their first match will be against Italy. This GoldenCat win shows they are truly ready for the challenge.