Following a long journey, which started on September 16, 2021 and after completing a total of 12 games, the team led by Francisco Neto returns to Oceania.

Currently 22nd in the world ranking, Portugal will compete in the most important meeting in its history, at the time, against the 58th in the hierarchy, but that, unlike the Portuguese formation was in the last two World Championships (2015 and 2019), reaching even the 'eighths'.

But the set of 'corners' is probably at the highest moment in its history, following seven consecutive victories, between official games to private, managing, in this cycle, to ensure their presence in New Zealand.

In the penultimate group H match, which Germany won without difficulty, Portugal was forced to win in Serbia in order to win second place and achieved it, even after having begun, practically, to lose, the fault of a goal by Andjela Frajtovic, much facilitated by goalkeeper Inês Pereira.

Also in the first half, the formation of the 'corners' operated the turnaround, with goals from Joana Marchão and Kika Nazareth, and, in the second half, knew how to hold the advantage.

Portugal jumped to second place in the group, which they sealed without difficulty in the last round (4-0 to Turkey in Vizela), finishing one point ahead of Serbia to secure a place in the European play-offs.

The draw put two very strong teams on the Portuguese route, but it also 'awarded' the home factor, which the Portuguese team took advantage of in the best way, beating Belgium (now 20th in the rankings) 2-1 and Iceland (16th) 4-1 after extra time.

Still, Portugal could not do more than secure the Intercontinental Play-off, and, having the best ranking among those present, was immediately cleared for the final of Group A, with two possible opponents (Cameroon and Thailand).

In the semi-finals on Saturday, the Cameroonians beat Thailand 2-0 with two goals from veteran forward Gabrielle Ouguéné, a CSKA Moscow player, who jumped off the bench in the 74th minute and scored in the 79th and 82nd.

A day earlier, Portugal also set themselves up to Hamilton and showed to be prepared, by winning against host New Zealand 5-0, with goals from Jessica Silva, Dolores Silva (penalty), Ana Capeta (twice) and Tatiana Pinto.

Even with an alternative 'eleven', the Portuguese team showed all its quality and how much has evolved in recent years, vulgarizing a formation that had beat it in the only clash (0-1 in Albufeira, in 2016).

For the clash with the Cameroonians, the Luso coach, Francisco Neto, has the team at full strength, while the African team will be deprived of goalkeeper Ange Bawou.

The match between Portugal and Cameroon, corresponding to the final of Group A of the Intercontinental Play-off, takes place on Wednesday at 19:30 local time (06:30 in Lisbon) at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.

The winner qualifies for the finals and joins the Netherlands in Group E (match on July 23), silver medals at the last World Championships, Vietnam (July 27) and the champions in the United States title (August 01).

The 2023 Women's World Cup finals will take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.