Ameobi sees red after goal double

Portugal Under-21 4 England Under-21

England's under-21 side suffered a disastrous night in their latest qualifier for next year's European Under-21 Championship as slack defending helped Portugal to a deserved victory while their one bright spot, the two-goal man Shola Ameobi, was sent off late in the second half for two bookable offences.

Looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat to the Portuguese in last summer's finals, David Platt's side could not cope with the home side's fluent attacking moves. Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo – rumoured to be transfer targets of Manchester United – were particularly impressive up front.

England were behind after just six minutes courtesy of an error from Titus Bramble. The Newcastle centre-half played the ball straight out of defence into the path of Ronaldo who set up a simple chance for Helder.

Two minutes later Ameobi equalised when he rounded Moreira before scoring from a tight angle. Yet England's joy was short-lived for within seconds Quaresma tried his luck from a short corner and his 15-yard shot deflected off Gareth Barry to restore Portugal's lead.

Despite looking distinctly second best, the visitors drew level again in the 33rd minute as Ameobi, looking offside, ran onto a Joe Cole through ball to cooly beat Moreira.

The watching Newcastle manager, Sir Bobby Robson, will not have enjoyed watching Hugo Viana go off with a dislocated shoulder before half-time. The Newcastle player's replacement, Carlos Martins, rammed home Portugal's third in the 61st minute, and 10 minutes later England's defence was left exposed as Martins fed Ronaldo, who comfortably beat Stephen Bywater again.

Portugal Under-21: Moreira, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Costa, Bosingwa, Mario Sergio, Tiago Mendes, Viana (Carlos Martins, 39), Jorge Ribeiro, Quaresma (Lourenco, 88), Helder Postiga, Ronaldo (Makukula, 82).

England Under-21: Bywater (West Ham); Samuel (Aston Villa), Dawson (Nottingham Forest), Bramble (Newcastle Utd), Konchesky (Charlton Athletic), J Cole (West Ham), Prutton (Southampton), Carrick (West Ham), Barry (Aston Villa), Ameobi (Newcastle Utd), Defoe (West Ham). Substitutes: Stewart (Leicester City) for Carrick, h-t; Pennant (Arsenal) for Prutton, 69; Crouch (Aston Villa) for Bramble, 85.

Referee: B Layec (France).