Eurovision betting odds Prior to the actual contest, "" was predicted not to qualify for the grand final, ranking last among the entries in the first semi-final by bookmakers. The song was given an estimated 14% chance of qualifying and an 84% chance of elimination in the semi-final. Following its qualification, the song was estimated to have less than one percent chance of winning, a two percent chance of finishing in the top five, and a seven percent chance of placing in the top 10. It was also estimated to have a 10% likelihood of finishing last.
Portuguese media and personalities "" was met with generally positive reviews from Portuguese music critics. Gonçalo Correia from
Sábado described the song as an "elegant, classic, dreamy indie-pop song", further calling it a "declaration of love to Madeira". In an article for
Diário de Notícias, Jorge Mangorrinha called the song "sober and emotional" and related it to
Salvador Sobral's
Amar pelos dois, Portugal's Eurovision-winning entry in . He praised the song's lyrical message, noting its growing popular and critical reception among audiences, and suggested that its understated authenticity contributed to Portugal's unexpected qualification for the final. In
Jornal de Notícias, André Rosa praised the song's "melancholy melody" and its 1970s
pop-rock instrumentation, which features a "subtle use" of flutes and traditional Madeiran string instruments like the
viola de arame. He also highlighted the narrative of the lyrics, noting how it effectively captures the frustration of a young adult displaced from the "natural laurel forest" to the urban "concrete jungle" of the capital. Writing for
Público, Pedro Roque characterized "" as a song that is simple yet a powerful reflection of issues such as internal migration, housing insecurity, and feelings of displacement in Portugal. He noted that the song expresses "a sentiment not only of those who are displaced, but of all of us who, in some way, feel displaced". He highlighted its simplicity and emotional depth, suggesting that the song captures sentiments many people share but have rarely articulated, aligning with the emotion of
saudade, despite the word itself appearing only once in the song's entirety. In a review for
Observador, Susana Verde commented that the song did not initially resonate with her but grew in appeal with repeated listens; however, she also noted it would not have been her personal choice as the winner. She later praised both the song and its lyrics, and calling their Eurovision performance "refreshing" and stood out as "the only act this year where [she] felt a band on stage".
Eurovision-related and international media International critics offered a range of reviews on "", varying from positive to mixed.
Eva Frantz from the Finnish broadcaster
Yle gave the song a seven out of 10, praising the track for its "sympathetic and pleasing" quality, and commended Napa’s commitment to singing in Portuguese. Likewise, Harmen van Dijk, Peter van der Lint, and Nienke Schipper from the Dutch newspaper
Trouw highlighted Napa's use of the Portuguese language, describing it as "wonderfully melodic...that feeds the memory", and dubbed the song as "breathing the same fragility and peace". Writing for
Esquire,
Dave Holmes named the entry as one of the highlights of the contest. He described it as "a pure, simple, nice little pop song" and described it as a bittersweet reflection on Portuguese youth leaving the country in search of better job opportunities, and noted that its "lack of flash" could help it stand out. Mark Savage from the
BBC described the song as having a "70s vibe, channelling
Paul McCartney's
Wings", and calling it a "
soft rock tear-jerker". Alberto Muraro from
Cosmopolitan Italy characterized the song as having a "fresh and rhythmic vibe" that evokes "a sense of movement and lightheartedness", noting that it explores "feeling out of place while being at peace with one's own path". In
Suara Merdeka, Fadlan Fahrial described the song as “a soft-tempo pop ballad with a minimalist arrangement” that places focus on the vocals and message, writing that its “simplicity is its strength”, enabling listeners to connect with its “sincere emotions.” He further interpreted the song as expressing both Madeiran identity and a universal feeling of being far from home, and noted that many listeners considered it “simple yet touching” for addressing the human experience of homesickness. Jon O’Brien from
Vulture ranked the song 17th out of the 37 entries, noting that the track followed Salvador Sobral’s Eurovision formula of "authentic vibe", but doubted its broader appeal, citing that "audiences are unlikely to fall for the same trick twice". Still, he praised its "warm, stripped-back" sound and its "breezy harmonies and gentle acoustics", calling it a "much-needed antidote to all the bells and whistles elsewhere". Rob Picheta from
CNN ranked the entry 23rd out of the 26 finalists, calling the song "perfectly nice" but "there's nothing in the staging that elevates it". Ralf Lofstad from
Dagbladet gave the song a two out of six, describing it as a "flattering but bland semi-acoustic ballad" with a "
Beatles-like quality".
Aftenposten's Robert Hoftun Gjestad rated the song a three out of six, criticising it for being generic and describing it as a "100 per cent straightforward pop song that will quickly end up in the oblivion pile". In a review for
The Times, Ed Potton gave the song one out of five stars, describing it as "totally forgettable". == Eurovision Song Contest 2025 ==