Portugal vs England LIVE: Lionesses result and reaction to disappointing draw in Nations League
Portugal 1-1 England: The hosts dominated after half time and scored a deserved equaliser through the substitute Kika Nazareth
England's Nations League campaign got off to a frustrating start as they were held to a 1-1 draw in Portugal.
Following a bright start to their opening Group A3 match, Alessia Russo put the Lionesses in front after slotting home from Lucy Bronze's brilliant cross from the right flank.
A shift in momentum saw Portugal begin to threaten after the break and, following a spell of pressure, they earned an equaliser through substitute Kika Nazareth's stunning top corner finish.
England are back in Nations League action at Wembley on Wednesday where they face group leaders Spain, who needed a late goal to beat Belgium in their opening fixture.
Follow live updates from the Nations League opener in tonight’s live blog, below.
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Sarina Wiegman admits England ‘have work to do’ after draw in Portugal
Sarina Wiegman says England “had to adapt” to Portugal’s second-half changes after a 1-1 draw in their Nations League clash.
A bright start to the Lionesses’ opening Group A3 match saw them come close through Lauren James and Ella Toone before Alessia Russo put them ahead in the 15th minute.
Lucy Bronze did well to control a cross-field pass from James and launched a menacing ball into the centre of the area for Russo, who coolly tapped home.
England then enjoyed a comfortable period in the first half, with Portugal unable to create much. However, a switch in momentum after the break saw the hosts apply more pressure and they earned a point thanks to Kika Nazareth’s equaliser.
Sarina Wiegman admits England ‘have work to do’ after draw in Portugal
England player ratings as Grace Clinton taught lesson in Portugal draw
England struggled to adapt to Portugal’s tactical changes and desperately missed the presence of Lucy Bronze, who was brought off at half time ahead of Wednesday’s game against world champions Spain at Wembley.
The Lionesses will need to improve against Spain, who scored two stoppage-time goals to beat Belgium in the other fixture of Group A3. Here’s how the players rated in the 1-1 draw.
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England player ratings as Grace Clinton taught lesson in Portugal draw
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
England defender Millie Bright tells BBC 5 Live what we’ve all been saying:
“A game of two halves really,” she says. “I think first half we had better quality on the ball, a little bit more control. Lots of work to be done. Obviously, never happy conceding a goal, especially in that manner when it was preventable. They're a strong team, they tested us tonight. There's a lot to work on ahead of the game on Wednesday.”
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
England manager Sarina Wiegman, speaking to ITV.
“I think we played a very good first half. We could have scored more goals, that would have helped. The second half they changed the shape and we had to adapt to that.
“When they started to push then we hoped to keep the ball better. What we did in the last part of the second half, we would hope to do that better next time.
“They put more players in attack and changed the shape. We were figuring it out but they scored their goal really well. On the other hand, we could have done better. After that we changed the organisation and we pushed a little more too. Unfortunately we couldn’t get another goal.
“I’m not thinking about the Euros. I’m just thinking about Wednesday. We have work to do. It’s Spain. It’s going to be a tough game. We will try to win that game.”
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
Former England striker Ian Wright, speaking on ITV.
“When Lucy Bronze came off it threw our balance, with what she gives us on the right. Jess Park had a bit too much to do. It’s a massive learning curve for England.
“The concentration levels that you have to have throughout the game have to be elite.”
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
Former England midfielder Karen Carney, speaking on ITV, on why she was scratching her head at England’s second half performance.
“I was disappointed we didn't make it more than one. The second half I was scratching my head thinking it's a different team. The basics went and that's when you get punished. There are lessons to be learnt.
“[Missed chances] were the story of the game. England had opportunities when Portugal were defensive. You need to be ruthless. When you have the momentum, take it, be clinical.”
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
Not the worst result in the world but England will be really disappointed with their performance in the second half, especially after starting so well, and it continues their inconsistent run.
They will look to bounce back against Spain at Wembley, but defeat to the world champions there would leave England in a tough position in this Nations League group.
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
England struggled to build on a promising start as Portugal held the Lionesses to a draw in their Nations League opener in Portimao thanks to Kika Nazareth’s stunning equaliser.
Alessia Russo converted an excellent cross from Lucy Bronze to give Sarina Wiegman’s side the lead in the 15th minute, with the returning Lauren James and Grace Clinton giving the visitors confidence on the ball.
But the Lionesses lost their way in the second half, with Portugal taking control. The hosts were then inspired by the arrival of Kika Nazareth from the bench, with the Barcelona forward firing a deserved equaliser into the top corner.
England will host world champions Spain at Wembley on Wednesday, in a rematch of the World Cup final. But the Lionesses will need to improve against Spain, who scored two stoppage-time goals to beat Belgium in the other fixture of Group A3.
FULL TIME! Portugal 1-1 England
And that’s it! A deserved point for Portugal but it all went wrong for England after a promising start. The Lionesses are held in their Nations League opener.
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