The Netherlands U21 side pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the UEFA Euro U21 2025, defeating a heavily favoured Portugal 1–0 — despite playing with ten men for more than 70 minutes.

The dramatic winner came in the 85th minute, when Ernest Poku coolly slotted home after a brilliant assist from Ian Maatsen, sealing a heroic victory for the Dutch youngsters.

Disaster struck early for the Dutch as striker Ruben van Bommel was sent off in the 21st minute after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Geovani Kenda. Just ten minutes later, Portugal had a golden chance to take the lead, but Kenda saw his penalty rattle off the post.

Portugal dominated possession, created chance after chance, and peppered the Dutch goal with shots — but couldn’t find a way through a resolute and brilliantly organized Netherlands defence. In the end, they paid the price for their wastefulness in front of goal.

Euro U21 2025

Portugal - Netherlands 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: Poku E., 84 (0:1)

Portugal: Soares S.; Pinheiro (Gomes R.M., 87); Muniz João; Lamba; Nazinho; Nascimento D.; Bernardo P. (Forbs, 63); Gustavo Sa (Marques João, 80); Fernandes M. (Santos P. M., 80); Quenda; Tomas T. (Araujo Pereira, 46)
Bench: Carvalho J. G.; Pinto Diogo; Rodrigues R.; Marques; Lourenço; De Amorim
Yellow Cards: Gustavo Sa 64; Santos P. M. 92; Forbs 95

Netherlands: Roefs; Rensch; Flamingo; Hato; Maatsen I.; Manhoef (Poku E., 79); van den Berg R.; Taylor Ke.; van Bommel R. (till 21); Valente (Meijer B., 53); van Bergen T. (Ohio, 94)
Bench: van den Heuvel; Raatsie; Salah-Eddine; Kasanwirjo; Goes; Banzuzi Ezechiel; Milambo; van Brederode
Yellow Cards: van Bommel R. 19, 21; Rensch 30; Taylor Ke. 50; Roefs 94
Red cards: van Bommel R. 21'