Portugal’s quest to qualify for the 2027 UEFA European U21 Championship has been postponed after a shock 2-1 defeat in Bulgaria.
Coming into the clash with six wins, a draw and yet to concede a goal, a win would have given Luís Freire’s side a place in the tournament next year.
Rodrigo Mora and Geovany Quenda were combining well in the early stages at Stadion Georgi Benkovski but had to wait 21 minutes to test Plamen Andreev.
The goalkeeper denied Mota and then Quenda on two occasions, Tiago Gabriel heading Mateus Fernandes’ corner over the bar as the chances kept coming.
Bulgaria went close in their first foray forward, Stivan Stoyanchov’s shot deflected off the bar and Nikola Iliev's follow up effort comfortably collected by João Carvalho.
Gustavo Varela hit the post before the opening goal came in the 50th minute. Mora found some space in the box and sent a low cross into the danger área, Varela perfectly positioned to convert from close range.
Damyan Yordanov fired high and wide as the hosts went for broke. Fernandes missed a great chsnce to seal the deal in the 83rd minute and Afonso Moreira was denied by Andreev.
Bulgaria equalised in the 87th minute when Yordanov headed Iliev’s corner off the back post and over the line.
There was more drama to come in added time. Iliev decided to channel his inner Maradona, beating three players on the byline before putting the ball on a plate for Tsvetoslav Marinov.
It was an incredible ending to the match which left Portugal in a state of shock. The result leaves Freire’s side four points clear of the Czech Republic in Group B with two matches remaining.
Portugal will have another chance to stamp their ticket to the tournament on Wednesday when they host Gibraltar at Estádio de São Miguel in Ponta Delgada.
