Lauren Wade celebrates goalImage source, Pacemaker Press
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Wade had opened the scoring for Northern Ireland after five minutes

Portugal came from behind to defeat Northern Ireland 2-1 in an entertaining Euro 2025 qualifier at Mourneview Park.

Lauren Wade gave Northern Ireland an early lead before Francisca Nazareth and Andreia Norton replied for Portugal, who have won their opening four qualifiers.

It was a much-improved display from Tanya Oxtoby's side after the 4-0 defeat by Portugal on Friday night in Leiria, but they were once again punished for defensive mistakes.

Northern Ireland are third in Group B3, two points behind Bosnia-Herzegovina who they will play in the next international window.

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Watch: Northern Ireland v Portugal highlights

Bright start from Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland made three changes from the 4-0 defeat by Portugal on Friday night with Brenna McPartlan making her first start alongside Joely Andrews in midfield with Caragh Hamilton coming in at right wing-back as Oxtoby looked for more energy from her side.

After their sluggish start to the game in Leiria, Northern Ireland were much more positive in the opening stages at Mourneview Park in the first international game to be played at that venue in seven years.

They opened the scoring with just five minutes gone as Keri Halliday played in Simone Magill on the right-hand side of the box and her low cross found Wade, who tucked home from close range.

That was the first goal Portugal had conceded in qualifying and it seemed to spark them into life with the dangerous Lucia Alves, who scored two in the 4-0-win, flashing a curling effort wide from the edge of the area.

Just like on Friday night, Northern Ireland were punished for switching off as Portugal equalised after 18 minutes.

Alves was found on the left-hand side with time and space to deliver a pinpoint cross for the onrushing Nazareth, whose deft header beat Jackie Burns.

Francisco Neto's side started to take control of the game as they pressed for a second goal, with Burns tipping a looping strike from Nazareth over the crossbar.

They took the lead on 33 minutes, capitalising on another Northern Ireland mistake as Norton dispossessed Joely Andrews, evaded a challenge from Rebecca McKenna and smashed home from a tight angle.

Telma Encarnacao then went close with an audacious overhead kick, which landed just over the crossbar as the game continued to be played at a frantic pace until the break.

Lacklustre second half

Image source, Pacemaker Press
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Portugal, like they did on Friday night, punished mistakes from Northern Ireland

Oxtoby introduced Casey Howe for McPartlan at half-time as Northern Ireland looked for a route back into the game.

After such an action-packed first half, it was a quieter start to the second period from both sides, with Northern Ireland maintaining a disciplined defensive shape.

Encarnacao's speculative effort was easily dealt with by Burns, before the goalkeeper also thwarted substitute Jessica Silva after she burst into the box and fired goalward.

Northern Ireland struggled to press as high as they did in the first half and failed to test Ines Pereira as Portugal held on for the win.

They will now look to their July double-header away to Malta and at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina to get back to winning ways.