Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Chris Smalling sent England to Euro 2016 on the back of another win, but the late header could not mask an underwhelming display against Portugal .
The third and final preparation game was always likely to prove the toughest, but few expected a toothless and disjointed attack to be the main concern against the side eighth in the world.
England's defence had been the overriding concern ahead of the Wembley encounter, but Roy Hodgson's inability to effectively shoehorn the attacking triumvirate of Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy into the same line-up was main issue in the 1-0 win against the 10 men of Portugal.
Smalling's late header was one of few moments for the sell-out Wembley crowd to shout about, with Vardy and Kane struggling to make an impact either side of Rooney as the Three Lions lacked attacking coherence and edge.
Even the first-half sending off of Bruno Alves for a horrific high challenge on Kane did little to help on a night punctuated by poor passes and choices.
The struggles of Vardy, Rooney and Kane will dominate much of the post-match conversation, but at least England head into the Group B opener against Russia on the back of a win courtesy of Smalling's first international goal.
But who was England's star man? And who could have done better? See below for our player ratings...
Show all 16 1 /16England vs Portugal player ratings England vs Portugal player ratings Joe Hart: 5 out of 10 Had very little to do. A poor goal-kick straight out of play put England under unnecessary pressure and that loses him a point. But otherwise didn't do much wrong.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Kyle Walker: 8 out of 10 One of the four Tottenham starters and justified his place throughout the night. His pace could not be matched and he showed his usefulness in attack with a great deep cross to pick out Rooney at the back post and a rasping shot from range. His long throws could cause problems in France as well. Not tested much defensively.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Chris Smalling: 7 out of 10 Assured alongside Cahill with an excellent defensive header from a dangerous looking Portugal corner among his best moments at the back. Also showed his ability in the air at the other end with his late headed goal. Tougher evenings lie ahead.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Gary Cahill: 6 out of 10 Nodded it away when he needed to and had an air of calm about his play which will go some way to easing concerns about England's defence. In one of the few moments of danger it was Cahill who dealt with it, putting a strong, clean tackle in on Andre Gomes inside the box.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Danny Rose: 6 out of 10 Dealt well with a dangerous cross from Portugal midway through the first-half, showing good strength to get across his man and clear. Was useful going forward as well.
Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings James Milner: 6 out of 10 The Liverpool midfielder does what he always seems to do - put in a solid performance without shining as bright as some of his team-mates. A decent display without any stand-out moments. Replaced by Wilshere after 66 minutes.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Eric Dier: 6 out of 10 Looked very accomplished in the defensive midfield role, spreading passes around the pitch and holding England's shape. His place is assured after this performance.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Dele Alli: 7 out of 10 Operating on the left of midfield for the majority of the match the Tottenham player was one of England's stand-out players. He showed energy to get the ball back and quality when in possession. The only disappointment was that he wasn't allowed to play in the middle for longer than the 15 minutes or so at the end of the game as that's where he looked most threatening. Replaced after 90 minutes.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Wayne Rooney: 5 out of 10 The England captain was not up to scratch at times as he spearheaded the diamond midfield option elected for by Roy Hodgson. Too often he misplaced his passes. If playing in that role in the diamond he needs to look sharper. Questions remain over his claim to a place in the starting XI.
Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Harry Kane: 5 out of 10 Culpable of overseeing one of the worst pre-worked corners Wembley has seen for a while when he passed straight to the opposition. Meanwhile the striker would have wanted to have tested the keeper more from a shot just inside the box. Like Vardy, was squeezed out of the middle for much of the match which is where he looks best. Replaced by Sturridge late on.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Jamie Vardy: 6 out of 10 Showed his confidence early on with a little flick inside, although it didn't come off. His willingness to put his head where others wouldn't led to the sending off of Bruno Alves. Found himself pushed wide by the presence of Rooney in the middle and that made it difficult for him to fully utilise his pace before he was replaced by Raheem Sterling on 66 minutes.
Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Jack Wilshere: 5 out of 10 Eager to get involved after coming on after 66 minutes but the Arsenal man wasn't able to make much of an impact.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Raheem Sterling: 7 out of 10 Looked useful when he came on alongside Wilshere with his trickery providing him some space. He didn't always take advantage of those moments as much as he should have but it was him who picked out Smalling for the only goal of the game.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Adam Lallana: 7 out of 10 Came on after 78 minutes and his tenacity nearly opened up one of England's best chances of the night. Whipped in a lovely first-time cross which will only give Hodgson something to think about when it comes to picking his starting XI for Euro 2016 opener with Russia.
2016 Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Daniel Sturridge: 6 out of 10 Like Lallana, given little time to impress. Control let him down when it might have provided him with a chance. Showed his eye for goal with a snapshot from range but it went wide of the post.
Getty Images
England vs Portugal player ratings Jordan Henderson: N/A Came on in the 90th minute which gave him no chance to make an impression.
AFP/Getty Images
Do you agree with our player ratings? Let us know in the comments section below!
Additional reporting by PA.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies