As Northern Ireland prepares to face Portugal in their Euro 2025 qualifier, striker Simone Magill is feeling confident and ready to take on the challenge. Despite Portugal’s top ranking in the group and the pressure on them to perform, Magill believes that Northern Ireland can embrace the challenge and play without fear. With memories of a previous victory against Portugal in a friendly in 2017, Magill hopes the current squad can replicate that success.
Magill, who scored in Northern Ireland’s recent win against Bosnia-Herzegovina, sees the upcoming match as a test to see how much the team has grown. The striker acknowledges the pressure but stresses the importance of starting the game well to have any chance of a positive outcome. Reflecting on the team’s transition and growth with each game, Magill is optimistic about their ability to perform against a tough opponent like Portugal. With a focus on themselves and their performance, she believes that a strong start and tight defense will be crucial in their quest for success. Despite the challenges ahead, Magill remains confident in the team’s character and determination to deliver a good performance in Leiria.