Just one goal separated the Seleccao from qualifying as the best-performing second-placed team at the European Under-21 Championship
Portugal Under-21s will not match the feat of the senior side at the European Championship despite Friday's 4-2 Group C win over Macedonia, while Spain maintained their perfect record.
Rui Jorge's side needed one more goal to qualify as the best-performing second-placed team, but fell short in Poland.
It means they will be unable to mirror the achievement of Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. following their success in France last year.
Portugal were ahead inside two minutes through Edgar Ie, while Bruma struck to make it 2-0 before Enis Bardhi reduced the arrears.