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Published 01 July 2023 5 min read
England Women's Senior Team

England 0-0 Portugal - Women's International match centre

Written by:

Milly McEvoy

Women's International Friendlies 1
Saturday 01 July, 03:15 PM Stadium MK
England national football team crest
0 0
HT: 0 - 0
portugal
  • Tatiana Pinto (80′)
  • Diana Gomes (93′)
02 Jul 2023 6:06

Highlights: England 0-0 Portugal


See the best of the action from Stadium MK, as the Lionesses play out a draw in their final World Cup warm-up

The Lionesses were held at home by a resilient Portuguese team in Milton Keynes, as they continue preparations for the World Cup

The Lionesses' starting line up huddle ahead of the game
The Lionesses' starting line up huddle ahead of the game

England’s send-off to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup ended in a 0-0 draw as Portugal kept out the European champions at Stadium MK.

In a game more about developing connections than getting a result, the Lionesses dominated possession but were unable to cut through a well-drilled Portuguese defence.

Sarina Wiegman rang the changes at half time, with her side continuing to produce chances without finding the back of the net.

The Lionesses now head Down Under to continue their preparations for the World Cup before facing Haiti in their Group D opener in Brisbane on 22 July.

In a dominant first half, Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly were a probing combination, with Hemp twice setting up Daly in the fifth minute

First, Daly forced Inês Pereira into a scrambling save from a header before Hemp sent in another cross which the forward directed at the goalkeeper.

Lauren James on the attack against Portugal in the first half
Lauren James on the attack against Portugal in the first half
The game continued to be one of fine margins as Lauren James’ delightful cross was just out of reach of Daly at full stretch.

England were then forced to withstand a period of Portugal pressure as Tatiana Pinto caused concerns at the edge of the Lionesses’ box before the new-look defence cleared the trouble.

On the half-hour mark, Hemp turned on the pace to chase down a good ball from Alex Greenwood, forcing Diana Gomes to send her cross into the box behind for a corner.

As the game entered the final minutes of the half, it was Georgia Stanway’s turn to set up Daly, sending a lovely looping ball into the forward’s path, but Daly couldn't find a teammate in the box.

Portugal survived one final time as Stanway came closest to the opener with the final touch of the half, sending a fine cross from Hemp onto the crossbar.
 Rachel Daly attempts an acrobatic volley in the area
Rachel Daly attempts an acrobatic volley in the area
Recognising the opportunity to try out different combinations, Wiegman brought on Niamh Charles, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo at the restart.

And in the opening exchanges of the second half, Stanway was involved again as her perfectly-weighted corner kick found Hemp in space, but the winger could only direct the ball over the bar.

After moving into a central position, James continued to look strong in possession, sending a cross out wide to Kelly whose angled shot from the edge of the box drew a save from Pereira.

James then set up Russo, who rounded the keeper only to see her attempt saved on the line with Ana Borges’ sliding stop sending the ball behind for a corner.

The resulting set piece saw the post rattled again as Stanway’s corner found a jumping Lucy Bronze, who directed the ball onto the post much to the relief of a stranded Pereira.
Seconds later, a selfless Kelly set up Russo after a mazy run into the box with Russo sending the ball agonisingly wide.

With 13 minutes remaining, again Kelly whipped in a fine cross to Russo, who, under intense pressure from the Portuguese defence, shot wide.

England were inventive as time started to run out, substitute Laura Coombs, who was searching for her first Lionesses goal, did well to force a save from Pereira while on the ground.

There was time for one last chance for England, with James putting in a cross over the top to Russo with Diana Gomes producing an excellent deflection to ensure a draw between the two sides with the Lionesses able to take plenty of heart and learnings to Australia.

Match Line Up

England (4-3-3): 1 Mary Earps (captain); 5 Alex Greenwood, 16 Jess Carter, 15 Esme Morgan, 2 Lucy Bronze; 10 Ella Toone, 4 Keira Walsh, 8 Georgia Stanway; 11 Lauren Hemp, 9 Rachel Daly, 7 Lauren James

Substitutes: 3 Niamh Charles for Greenwood 46’, 18 Chloe Kelly for Toone 46’, 23 Alessia Russo for Daly 46’, 17 Laura Coombs for Stanway 65’, 20 Katie Zelem for Walsh 65’, 22 Katie Robinson for Hemp 81’

Substitutes not used: 21 Ellie Roebuck, 13 Hannah Hampton; 14 Lotte Wubben-Moy, 19 Bethany England, 24 Maya Le Tissier, 25 Lucy Staniforth

Head coach: Sarina Wiegman

Portugal: 1 Inês Pereira; 2 Catarina Amado, 15 Carole Costa 19 Diana Gomes, 9 Ana Borges; 14 Dolores Silva (captain), 8 Andreia Norton, 11 Tatiana Pinto; 20 Kika Nazareth; 10 Jéssica Silva, 16 Diana Silva

Substitutes: 21 Ana Capeta for Nazareth 50’, 6 Andreia Jacinto for Dolores Silva 62’, 22 Telma Encarnação for Diana Silva 62’, 18 Carolina Mendes for Norton 81’, 3 Lúcia Alves for Amado 81’

Substitutes not used: 12 Patricia Morais, 22 Rute Costa, 4 Silvia Rebelo, 5 Joana Marchão, 7 Ana Rute, 13 Fátima Pinto, 17 Ana Seica

Bookings: 11 Pinto 80’, 19 Gomes 90+3’

Head coach: Francisco Neto
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