England’s European Under-21 Championship campaign started in defeat as they lost 1-0 to Portugal.
A 57th minute strike from Joao Mario separated the sides in an end to end encounter. Bernado Silva found himself through on goal after a defensive mix-up but, although his effort beat Jack Butland, it cannoned off the post. Unfortunately for Gareth Southgate’s side, however, it fell straight to Joao Mario, who tapped in from close range.
England kept plugging away until the end and had chances to get something from the game, but the Three Lions now face an uphill task to reach the knockout stages, with Sweden and Italy to play.
The game started brightly and just six minutes in the Portuguese could have opened the scoring. A cross in from the right troubled the England defence and Liam Moore’s attempted clearance flew towards goal, only for a brilliant reaction save from Butland.
Nathan Redmond had England’s first chance, hitting the ball straight at Jose Sa past the 10 minute mark, after good work down the right hand side from Carl Jenkinson and Redmond.
In an open 20 minutes, both teams could have opened the scoring. Redmond again was creating England’s best chances, running at pace, the Norwich star found Jesse Lindgard, only for the Manchester United star to send his rocket of a shot over just over the bar.
Harry Kane reminded us of his prolific goal scoring form just over the half hour mark, finding himself in space 20 yards out; the Tottenham man unleashed an effort that had to be parried behind by Sa for a corner kick.
Just two minutes later, Kane was at it again. Picking the ball up from the left flank, the 21 year-old cut in and saw his effort go inches wide of Sa’s near post.
In an end to end first half, Lindgard had England’s best chance. Cutting in from the right after clever work from Nathan Chalobah, the United winger saw his effort curl just wide of the post, leaving Sa stranded.
James Ward-Prowse, known for being a set piece specialist, saw a superb free kick narrowly wide minutes in to the second half.
Mario’s goal, just before the hour mark seemed to give Rui Jorge’s side another lease of life and they could have easily doubled their lead.
Having gone ahead, the Portuguese used the ball wisely, keeping the ball and testing the English side’s patience. Demanding the attacking wing backs to stay in defence, A Selecção frustrated Southgate’s side as the likes of Redmond and Lindgard became less involved.
Lindgard was soon replaced by Liverpool’s new signing Danny Ings as Southgate changed tactics with both Kane and Ings up front.
Kane finding himself with a yard of space had the perfect chance to equalise but after losing his balance, his powerful shot had to be palmed away by Sa.
Danny Ings’ introduction was much needed for the Three Lions. In the dying minutes, the former Burnley striker fired a dipping strike from 20 yards just over the bar, after good work from Jenkinson but it was too little too late as the defeat resulted in England’s fifth loss in five Euro 21 Championship games.
The Three Lions now face Sweden on Sunday 21st where a win is a must.
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