Kika serves Portuguese Pastel de nata to the English

Ever since 2022, England’s women’s national football team, colloquially known as the Lionesses, have had a global reign of domination under pioneering Dutch head coach Sarina Wiegman. Winning the Women’s Euros in 2022, making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in 2023, and maintaining a top 5 position of FIFA World Women’s Rankings over the past 3 years is no easy feat in an ever diversifying and evolving world of women’s football.

On the record, a select few of English nationals have been privileged to represent both the pride of Catalunya for club (FC Barcelona) and the red and white Lionesses crest for country. Players have included Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze, Ellie Roebuck and Toni Duggan, with only Roebuck left standing. Now in 2025, the challenge of the Women’s Euros to be hosted in Switzerland this summer will attest to a lasting football legacy and possible two-time trophy feat. But before July 2025, the UEFA Women’s Nations League has already started to take place. Unlike the Euros, the Nations League is hosted annually and comprises of more European national teams. Involved are those set to be featured in the 2025 Women’s Euros such as Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Poland, Portugal, not to forget England. Spain are the current title holders, although as proven in the past, results and upsets are always brewing.

On Friday, February 21st, the Lionesses travelled to Estádio Municipal de Portimão in the Algarve for a Group C clash against Portugal for three points on the Nations League leaderboard. Also in the draw are Spain and Belgium, perceived as a powerful cohort. Portugal historically have not had a significantly strong women’s team, although with FC Barcelona’s rising young star Kika Nazareth, that can change. Kika is only 22 years of age, hailing from Lisbon and made the move to FC Barcelona after an outstanding career with SL Benfica.

With 2 goals and 3 assists in 18 games, Kika’s 2024-2025 season is going well considering this is her Liga F debut. While learning from the likes of Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen, Kika has thrived. And when her country needed her, as England were up 1-0 with a goal from Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Kika staggered the crowed with a dazzling finish in the 75th minute. Portugal held the match to a 1-1 tie at the final whistle, considering they are ranked #22 overall up against heavy hitters #4. Instead of easily handing England 3 points in Group C, thanks to Kika’s goal, both countries share one point each. Both Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze accumulated minutes for the Lionesses, although sadly both participants no longer constitute of FC Barcelona’s roster and now dwell in the Barclays WSL. It seems as if Walsh had a nice catch up with Kika after the match, and the Nations League will resume this coming week, February 24th. The results will prove the progress of women’s football.