Tristao: We are not afraid of Spain

After two games in their maiden FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ campaign, Portugal had failed to register a single goal. A hard-fought point with Colombia, however, proved that the debutants could compete at this level. The prospect of qualifying for the Round of 16 at the first time of asking remained a reality.

"The pressure is great. If we had lost [against Colombia], we would have nearly zero chances to advance, so this is a great pressure," Portugal coach Marina Gomes said afterwards. "I'm very proud of this team. Our big goal is to make these players grow, and it happened. There was a lot of resilience... we were able to do incredible things."

In the way of their pursuit for history stood a Costa Rica side who had gone 14 games without a single point at the U-20 showpiece. The task was clear: Portugal needed to win in Sosnowiec to finish at least as one of the best third-place teams.

When Anna Marques broke the deadlock after just seven minutes to score Portugal's maiden goal at the U-20 showpiece, the relief was palpable. As Marques wheeled away in celebration and fell to the ground in delight, she was mobbed by virtually the entire squad.

"It’s incredible," Marques told FIFA about scoring Portugal's first goal. "I waited personally long for that goal too, but it's nice just to score that goal. It wouldn't matter if it would be someone else scoring that goal. I'm just happy that I could help the team."

Portugal kept on the attack, and after Carolina Tristao doubled the lead with a brilliant individual effort, Marques sealed the three points after the break. The celebrations went on long and hard both on the field and in the press room at Arena Sosnowiec as the players sang and danced as Gomes was giving a TV interview.

"The first win has a huge impact for us emotionally, and also for what it means to this team, to the country, to the Portuguese women's football. We feel that this is a win for everybody. We have worked hard for this," Gomes told FIFA soon afterwards.

Tristao credited Gomes for enabling Portugal to play with joy and freedom in their final group stage match after opening with a defeat to defending champions DPR Korea and then drawing with Colombia.

"I think we started more confident, with happiness. That's what the coach asked us to do. To play with joy, free, play how we know to, fearless. We went after them," she told FIFA.

"I think nobody expected us to be that good. At the EURO it was the same. We came here and we were the underdogs, but I think we demonstrated it on the pitch that we are a really good team. We are ready for the next one," added Marques.

Next up for Portugal, is a Round-of-16 clash with Iberian rivals Spain, who are one of the pre-tournament favourites and have rolled past their opposition thus far in Poland. Portugal, though, are not afraid of the moment.

"Spain is always a title contender. It's a good opponent, but we are used to face good teams. It will be good to play Spain, to see how far can we go, test our limits and to make us grow. At the end, the result will be what we can take from all of that," Gomes said.

Tristao added: "Obviously, it will be a complicated match. But we should not be scared of anyone. We will go after them just like it was any other opponent."