Portugal have climbed into the top 25 of the World Rugby Women’s Rankings powered by Capgemini as a result of their historic 27-0 win against Sweden on Saturday.
The victory was As Lobas’ first in the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship and lifts them into second in the 2024 standings with one match to play, against defending champions Spain on 30 March.
Sweden had won the teams’ only previous meeting, 7-5 in November 2022, but were second best for much of this contest at CAR Rugby do Jamor.
Tries from Maria Morant and Mariana Marques, the first converted by captain Daniela Correia, gave the hosts a 12-0 lead at half time in Lisbon.
Correia extended that advantage with a penalty after the break before adding a second conversion after Mariana Santos crossed the whitewash.
Santos scored her second try of the match soon afterwards, shrugging off several attempted tackles to dive over in the right corner.
There were still 25 minutes to play at that point, but the hosts were unable to add to their tally as the Swedish defence held firm until the final whistle.
However, the commanding nature of the 27-0 scoreline has given Portugal 2.73 rating points and lifted them three places to 24th in the rankings. Madagascar, Belgium and Trinidad and Tobago each fall one place as a result.
Despite losing 2.73 points in defeat, Sweden remain 20th in the rankings, however the gap to Germany beneath them has narrowed to 2.41 points.
The two teams are scheduled to play one final 2024 Women’s Championship match, both against Spain.
Portugal will face Las Leonas in Sitges on 30 March before Sweden host the 10-time champions in Trelleborg two weeks later. In between, Spain face a trip to Amsterdam to play the Netherlands on 6 April.
