The Netherlands Under-21 team has secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal Under-21 in the quarter-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship today, June 21, 2025. Despite being a man down for a significant portion of the match, a late strike from Ernest Poku propelled the Dutch into the semi-finals, ending Portugal's impressive run in the tournament.
The turning point of the match came in the first half when Netherlands' Ruben van Bommel was sent off, leaving his team to face a formidable Portuguese side with only ten men. Portugal, who had been strong defensively throughout the tournament, pressed their advantage and were awarded a penalty. However, they failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity as the spot-kick was missed, keeping the score level.
Buoyed by the lifeline, the resilient Dutch side held their ground, frustrating the Portuguese attack for the remainder of the match. As the game appeared destined for extra time, AZ Alkmaar's Ernest Poku found the back of the net in the closing minutes, sealing a remarkable and unexpected win for the Netherlands.
The victory is a significant achievement for the Dutch U21s, who now advance to the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament. For Portugal, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their campaign, which had seen them emerge as one of the top contenders for the title.
