Portugal fought back to frustrate England in their UEFA Women’s Nations League opener in Portimão. The Lionesses took a first half lead through Alessia Russo but Kika Nazareth came off the bench to salvage a point for the hosts.
The Action
England will have expected a stern test as they travelled to Portimão for their Nations League opener against Portugal. Francisco Neto’s side may be ranked 22nd in the world but they have developed significantly and have played a part in three of the last four major tournaments.
Sarina Wiegman opted for a strong line-up from the players she had at her disposal. Jess Park was given the nod on the right wing while Grace Clinton took up the number 8 role alongside Keira Walsh and Ella Toone in midfield. Meanwhile, Lauren James and Niamh Charles both made their returns to the starting XI on the left.
Neto meanwhile opted for pace in his attack with Diana and Jéssica Silva flanking Andreia Norton. Kika Nazareth was named on the bench.
England started brightly as they dominated possession and began to rebuild connections after over two months away. Park was drifting in off the right flank to take up a more central role alongside Alessia Russo, allowing Lucy Bronze space to break at speed. It was a tactic that gave the visitors a lot of joy and it was from that side that their opener came; Russo turning home a brilliant Bronze cross in the 15th minute.
For all of the Lionesses’ positive play, on reflection they will be rueing their inability to find a second before the break. They were denied a clear penalty on the stroke of half-time when Clinton was pulled down in the box but did not do enough to put the game to bed.
A small tweak in formation from Neto changed the course of the game in the second half. The Portuguese love to control the ball and found a rhythm to their play. England, in contrast, struggled without possession and were lax when they did get hold of it, giving away needless passes and free kicks. With the visitors increasingly frustrated and tiring, Kika Nazareth was let loose to work her magic. With 15 minutes to play, she spotted her moment to pounce, shrugging off Clinton to level the score. She almost had a second minutes later, denied only by a brilliant block from Leah Williamson.
England’s changes – two in the 84th minute in addition to Bronze who had to come off at half-time – came too late to affect the proceedings and the Lionesses were forced to settle for a frustrating point.
Stand Out Moment
England’s goal was a perfect example of what the Lionesses can do when they play with speed. It was one of the few instances where they switched the play throughout the evening – perhaps surprising given the way Portugal defend as a group – and they reaped the rewards. The quality of James’ sweeping pinpoint cross-field pass to Bronze on the opposite flank was surpassed only by the calibre of the subsequent delivery into the box by England’s right back. With the ball bouncing slightly awkwardly, Bronze managed to readjust her body to hit the cross sweetly, landing perfectly for Russo to turn home in the box.
A beautifully crafted move from England! 🏴
Russo finishes it off ⚽️ #ITVFootball | @Lionesses pic.twitter.com/j8qpxi8VIR
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 21, 2025
Stand Out Performance
The introduction of Kika Nazareth in the second half changed the game from a Portuguese perspective. The 22-year-old Barcelona forward is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in world football and proved exactly what she adds to this Portugal side. Her guile in finding the spaces, her strength is shaking off defenders, her creativity and clinical finishing all came to the fore in her 30-minute cameo.
Quote of the Day
Football is a journey and we’ve been in this position before in terms of when we’re in a really good place and things are going your way, results are going your way, you’re performing and everyone is happy. And then you go through moments where other teams progress and get better. We’ve still got a lot of work to do and that’s just part of the game.
Millie Bright, England
Teams
PORTUGAL
Inês Pereira; Ana Borges, Carole Costa, Diana Gomes; Catarina Amado, Dolores Silva (c), Tatiana Pinto, Joana Marchão; Jéssica Silva, Andreia Norton, Diana Silva
Subs: Rute Costa; Ana Dias; Andreia Faria; Ana Capeta; Kika Nazareth; Stephanie Ribeira; Ana Rute; Carolina Mendes; Ana Seiça; Andreia Jacinto; Lúcia Alves; Patrícia Morais
Manager: Francisco Neto
ENGLAND
Mary Earps; Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson (c), Millie Bright, Niamh Charles; Grace Clinton, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone; Jess Park, Alessia Russo, Lauren James
Subs: Hannah Hampton; Aggie Beever-Jones; Laura Blindkilde Brown; Jess Carter; Chloe Kelly; Maya Le Tissier; Ruby Mace; Anna Moorhouse; Esme Morgan; Jess Naz; Nikita Parris; Millie Turner
Manager: Sarina Wiegman
