Portugal 1 England 1
A stuttering start to 2025 was the last thing the Lionesses needed after an indifferent 2024.
England’s players speak of the constant expectation on their shoulders after winning a home European Championship and reaching a World Cup final.
Expectation certainly exists, but perhaps the bar should be lowered. This 90 minutes in Portugal, where England were holding on for a 1-1 draw, is what we have become accustomed to watching in the last year.
The Lionesses started well and went ahead through Alessia Russo’s goal in the 15th minute. But from that moment on they struggled to build on their lead. They seemed to retreat, as we have seen them do before, and eventually it was the decisiveness from Portugal’s bench, and the indecisiveness from England’s, that saw the Lionesses drop points.
Portugal boss Franciso Neto sent on Kika Nazareth on the hour mark and her superb strike earned them a draw. But that goal had been coming long before it hit the net, yet Wiegman did not make a change. It was puzzling but again, something the England manager has been guilty of before.
While it may seem too early to have deemed this Nations League game as “must-win”, given Portugal are the lowest-ranked team in the group, the Lionesses knew the significance of getting off to a positive start.
There had been some excited murmurings among England fans ahead of kick-off when they learned that Spain had gone 2-0 down against Belgium in the earlier kick-off. But the world champions came back to win 3-2, scoring in the 92nd and 96th minute to put pressure on the Lionesses, who they play at Wembley next Wednesday.
Playing at the national stadium will certainly feel luxurious compared to the conditions at the 5,000-seater stadium in the Algarve city of Portimao. The game had sold out but, with the rain swirling into the open stands, there were a lot of empty seats.
Injuries to key players had left Wiegman with a number of selection dilemmas coming into this game, the biggest of which was in midfield. A serious knee injury to Georgia Stanway meant there was a hole in the No 8 role. Wiegman opted for Grace Clinton, who usually plays as a No 10 or out wide for Manchester United, to fill it. Clinton had impressed in the few starts she had been given and was worthy of an opportunity. Jess Park, who also primarily operates as a No 10, started on the right wing in the absence of Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead.
But while Wiegman was missing players through injury, perhaps her most important one made a welcome return. It had been 10 long months since James had played for the Lionesses, with a number of different injuries keeping her out of successive international camps. It did not take long for her to show England what they had been missing. She nearly opened the scoring early on with a powerful strike from long range, her effort flying just over the bar. When England did take the lead after 15 minutes, it was James who started the move. The forward sprayed a clever pass to Lucy Bronze, whose equally impressive cross picked out an unmarked Alessia Russo to tap home from close range.
Bronze, though, went off at half-time. It was unclear whether the defender had picked up a knock or if her minutes were being managed after recently returning from an injury.
It was telling that Portugal more often than not deployed two players on James, which resulted in her giving the ball away on more than a few occasions. But it was the players involved for the goal - James, Russo and Bronze - who looked most likely to create an opening.
England did not seem able to raise the tempo in the second half and the withdrawal of Bronze undoubtedly had an impact on their ability to break forward with speed. It also had an impact on their defending.
Portugal’s pressure had been mounting to the extent that Mary Earps felt compelled to give her team some breathing space by going down with a suspicious case of cramp. England needed an injection of life from their bench but it was not forthcoming. Instead, it was a Portugal substitute who found a spark. Barcelona forward Kika, who had been expected to start, shrugged off tackles from Clinton and Jess Carter before curling a fine finish into the top right corner over a helpless Earps. With Spain up next, England will have to be better than this to avoid defeat at Wembley.
10:05 PM GMT
England can only manage draw in Portugal
That’s everything from our live coverage of England Women’s first game of 2025, the year they will try and defend their European title and it has not got off to the ideal start.
The next challenge is a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, when England host Spain at Wembley on Wednesday.
10:00 PM GMT
Sarina Wiegman: “I stand with the Spanish players”
Sarina Wiegman on the Luis Rubiales verdict: “First of all of course that we have to talk about it again, it’s good because it changed society.
“I stand with the Spanish players and they have so much courage to do this. And it does make change, but more change needs to be made.
“They are still in it and it’s just really unfortunate that - well we are talking about football but we are also having to talk about this.”
09:55 PM GMT
Sarina Wiegman admits England should have scored more
Sarina Wiegman tells ITV: “Well it’s 1-1 so it doesn’t really matter (what we would have wanted), of course I’d have hoped to come back with more.
“I think we played a very good first half, I think we could have got some more goals which would have helped.
“The second half they changed their shape and we had to adapt to that and then when they started to push and then we hoped to keep the ball better. What we did in the last half of the second half, and we want to do that better next time.
On fading in the second half: “They put a lot more players up front, they changed their shape. We were figuring out and at the end we did figure out, the first moment they came through and I think they scored that goal really well but we could have done better there, we know that and then we got the organisation better and we pushed a bit more too.
“So unfortunately we couldn’t get it to another goal.”
09:50 PM GMT
Karen Carney admits England’s shortcomings
Speaking as a pundit on ITV, Karen Carney said: “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.”
09:44 PM GMT
Portugal earn deserved draw
Well, we said England would need a second goal and they didn’t get it. A fantastic strike from Kika Nazareth earned Portugal a deserved draw.
Perhaps what is most concerning for Sarina Wiegman is that we’ve seen this from her team before. They start well but fail to build on it and end up conceding.
There has to be questions though about why Wiegman didn’t make her substitutions earlier, as that Portugal goal had been coming for some time.
09:38 PM GMT
Full time: Portugal 1 England 1
England dominated the opening half an hour and were rewarded with the lead through Alessia Russo.
After that however, they retreated into their shell, allowing Portugal a way back into the match.
Kika Nazareth’s goal was a moment of brilliance and she changed the game since being brought on.
England’s performance will have given Sarina Wiegman some things to think about ahead of the match with Spain on Wednesday
09:36 PM GMT
90+2 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
England have a corner and a rare chance to attack, the initial attempt does not amount to a chance, but Williamson has a brief opportunity, heading the ball goalwards it is straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
09:33 PM GMT
90+1 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
09:32 PM GMT
89 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
Leah Williamson is the defender again, with yet another block to deny a Portugal chance.
09:30 PM GMT
88 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
Leah Williamson makes another important block from a shot, this is becoming a Portugal onslaught now.
England at one point would not wanted to leave the rainy Algarve with a point, but the way this game is going they might just take it.
09:29 PM GMT
86 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
England try and pick out Russo, but she’s outmuscled on the ball and there is no one to help her out anyway.
The Arsenal forward has cut an increasingly isolated figure in the second half, after better service in the first.
09:26 PM GMT
84 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
England make a double change with Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones coming on for Jess Park and Grace Clinton.
09:25 PM GMT
81 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
Nazareth has another chance, England just cannot get close to her as she carves out space but shoots wide.
Leah Williamson did just enough to put her off and block the attempt.
Another stoppage now, this time Diana Silva is down holding her head.
09:22 PM GMT
80 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
Grace Clinton throws herself into a clumsy challenge, as Nazareth was running away for a second time and is rightly shown a yellow card.
Nazareth beat Clinton in the build up to the goal and looks so dangerous.
09:19 PM GMT
Goal - 76 mins: Portugal 1 England 1
Kika Nazareth scores a stunning goal into the top corner to level the tie.
The momentum had shifted as soon as the Barcelona player came on, but she drove forwards and just unleashed a great shot that went over the goalkeeper and just dipped at the perfect moment.
It had been coming, and even Mary Earps’ attempt to force a restart by an injury delay was not enough to stem the Portuguese momentum.
09:17 PM GMT
75 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Portugal make another change, Jessica Silva comes off for Anna Capeta.
09:16 PM GMT
74 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Mary Earps is back on her feet to boos from the home fans for the break in play.
What it did do is let the England players receive instructions from Sarina Wiegman.
09:15 PM GMT
73 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Mary Earps is down receiving some treatment and that might just break up play and allow England to grab a drink and regroup.
They have struggled for momentum in the last 15 minutes.
09:13 PM GMT
71 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
That’s almost a goal - Portugal are eventually pulled up for a foul on Jess Carter in the area, but there was a brief scramble in the box and the ball could have dropped for any of the players in red.
England’s last attack feels like a long time ago.
09:12 PM GMT
70 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Chance for Portugal - Diana Silva tries a cross-style shot. It’s not enough to trouble Mary Earps and goes straight into her hands.
Portugal are looking the more confident brighter side now.
09:11 PM GMT
68 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Portugal are driving the game forwards now, Diana Silva had the opportunity for a shot, but instead chose to pass, where Millie Bright is equal to it and shepherds the ball out for a goal kick.
The game is just being broken up almost all the time, it’s a good tactic from Portugal, England are not able to settle.
09:07 PM GMT
65 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Everything is going through Barcelona’s Kika Nazareth, and any attempt by England to get forward is just being snuffed out.
The fans are audibly more involved, although there has been no let up in the rain that has been falling all match.
Jessica Silva tries a Rabona cross, it doesn’t come off, but Portugal are definitely growing in confidence.
Kiera Walsh is shown a yellow card.
09:05 PM GMT
63 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
The substitutes seem to have given Portugal a new confidence, Diana Silva and Jessica Silva link up in the box but cannot quite carve out enough space for a shot.
England have just slipped backwards a bit having dominated the first half completely.
09:03 PM GMT
60 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Portugal try and change the course of the match with a slew of changes, just before the hour mark.
Joana Marchao, Dolores Silva and Catarina Amado are replaced by Lucia Alves, Kika Nazareth and Andreia Jacinto.
08:59 PM GMT
57 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Portugal cannot capitalise on a free-kick, Marchao’s attempt sails out for a goal kick.
The game has just started to become very bitty and broken. There is not much fluid passing from either side at the moment.
08:57 PM GMT
54 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
England are just being pegged back into their own half slightly, Millie Bright and Niamh Charles exchange passes but there is not much opportunity to go forwards.
Jess Park tries to pick out Alessia Russo, but there is no support and that ball was easily gathered by Pereira.
08:55 PM GMT
51 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Portugal have started the second half brightly, they are chasing down everything and not letting England settle.
The Lionesses might have to be a little bit patient, but they will hope their first-half sloppiness does not creep back into the perfomance.
08:50 PM GMT
48 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Chance - There’s an early chance at the start of the second half for Lauren James. She weaves her way into the box and generates a lot of power, but Pereira makes a strong save.
The goalkeeper is also equal to the following corner.
08:48 PM GMT
46 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
England make one change at the break with Jess Carter coming on for Lucy Bronze.
It is not clear whether that is an injury or just a desire to keep Bronze fresh for the match against Spain on Wednesday.
08:45 PM GMT
DJ energy needed for England
England deserve to be in front at half-time but they need to step up the tempo to get another goal in the second half. They could take a leaf out of the DJ’s book, who is really giving it some energy to the soaked fans during the break.
08:40 PM GMT
Half time: Portugal 0 England 1
In that first half, England enjoyed almost 70 per cent of the possession and had five shots compared to just two from Portugal, but there is just the one goal to show for it.
When asked about Clinton, Karen Carney says on ITV1: “She hasn’t played too much for Manchester United so she’s had to wait her time,” and highlights her defensive work as well as her attacking threat.
Carney also believes the incident on the stroke of half time should have resulted in a penalty.
08:33 PM GMT
Half time: Portugal 0 England 1
Grace Clinton was calling for a penalty.
The midfielder tried to get on the end of an Alessia Russo cross, but believed she was pulled down in the area.
That will be the last major action of the half, and after one minute of stoppage time, the referee blows for the break.
08:30 PM GMT
44 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
A little bit of sloppiness has just crept into England’s game after taking the lead. They could certainly do with a second goal to ease the nerves.
08:29 PM GMT
43 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Williamson tries to create something out of nothing, launching the ball forwards to Russo, who can’t carve out a chance, but England will have another corner at the end of the first half.
Toone steps up to take it, but Portugal are able to head clear and regroup.
08:28 PM GMT
42 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Portugal have struggled to create anything, there are wayward passes stopping them having any kind of momentum, they finally have their first chance, with Diana Silva having two shots blocked by Millie Bright.
Mary Earps in the England goal remains untroubled.
08:25 PM GMT
40 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
England win another corner after Lauren James and Niamh Charles link up on the left.
Millie Bright takes this one and it sails over the arriving England players and into the hands of the goalkeeper, who is fouled by Bronze in the aftermath.
08:24 PM GMT
38 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Lucy Bronze has been involved in almost everything tonight, cutting out chances and preventing Portugal creating anything down their left hand side.
She has also been a key part of any move forwards, linking up well with Grace Clinton and looking to push forward at every opportunity.
08:22 PM GMT
35 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
Jess Park is shown a yellow card now for a foul on Marchao, it was a clumsy challenge and after a card has already been shown for one it is hardly surprising another comes out for that.
England have been focused on quick-passing so far in this match, it’s all one-twos, and they will have to up their game against Spain at Wembley on Wednesday.
08:18 PM GMT
33 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
James goes for a cross or shot towards the goal, but like her similar attempt from distance earlier, it is wide of the target.
She is the only player trying anything different and you can see what makes her such a handful for defences.
08:16 PM GMT
30 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
England have another corner, Toone takes it again but it’s just over the head of the arriving Williamson.
Corner taker Toone is then offside as England try and build after the ball comes back.
08:14 PM GMT
27 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
England corner is swung in by Toone but is cleared by Portugal, England look to build from the ball coming back but instead are almost caught on the break.
Portugal’s momentum is broken up with a throw-in. It has been quite a bitty game so far, lots of fouls.
Catarina Amado is booked for her tackle of Niamh Charles, and the way the game is going that is unlikely to be the last.
08:10 PM GMT
24 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
There is concern here for England, Niamh Charles is still down on the pitch and receiving treatment. Some of the players on the bench are now warming up.
It looks like a calf injury, and given the issues already affecting the squad, that is not what Sarina Wiegman will want.
Charles does get back to her feet, if a bit gingerly.
08:06 PM GMT
20 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
The tempo of the game has not changed since the goal.
England are still looking to push forward and Portugal are just trying to stop them. Every path looks dangerous, but the counter-press so far has been good, despite the goal.
08:04 PM GMT
18 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
A fantastic team goal from England and that’s what Lauren James can do.
Her pass to Lucy Bronze was inch-perfect and the defender put an equally fantastic cross into the box for Alessia Russo to finish.
08:02 PM GMT
GOAL 15 mins: Portugal 0 England 1
England claim the first goal.
Lauren James is so dangerous and she creates the goal by picking Lucy Bronze out side, her cross from there is expert however just falling at the feet of Alessia Russo who can do no wrong, tapping the ball into the back of the net.
07:57 PM GMT
11 mins: Portugal 0 England 0
Chance! England have another.
This time Cloone and Toone linked up cleverly with a ball through the middle from the midfielder to pick out the Manchester United player, but her shot was just wide of the far post.
England are getting closer to finding a breakthrough here.
07:56 PM GMT
10 mins: Portugal 0 England 0
England chance - James has a chance after finding herself in space out on the left, it was far over the bar, but it was an early sign of the threat she possesses.
07:54 PM GMT
8 mins: Portugal 0 England 0
When Portugal do attack, they are quick and powerful, but as it has for England so far, again the decisive ball goes lacking.
England have also given the ball away far too easily so far, a simple pass from Williamson to Clinton found the touchline instead.
07:52 PM GMT
6 mins: Portugal 0 England 0
Portugal are happy for England to have as much of the ball as they want - provided they stay in their own half.
Whenever the Lionesses do try and venture forward there is a high and determined press from the Portugal midfield.
Russo manages to beat her marker and tries to play in Toone, but the ball is too far ahead of the forward and the goalkeeper is able to gather easily.
07:49 PM GMT
3 mins: Portugal 0 England 0
Both sides have just tried to get a measure of the match and the conditions in the early stages.
Lucy Bronze, who had the option to play for Portugal having spent time there as a youngster, has been active down the right, but there have been no clear chances for either side so far.
07:46 PM GMT
1 minute: Portugal 0 England 0
The match in Portugal is underway.
The other match in the group has seen a remarkable late turnaround, Belgium started stoppage time a goal ahead, but after a quick double from Lucia Garcia and Cristina Martin-Preieto in the 92nd and 96th minutes, Spain have won the match 3-2!
07:40 PM GMT
The teams are out
In the rain, England and Portugal have come out of the tunnel onto the pitch and are lining up for the national anthems before the match can kick off.
The match might be sold out, but not all fans have found their seats amid the weather.
07:40 PM GMT
Nations League action
Spain and Belgium, the other game in England’s group, is not going the way the world champions would have wanted.
In the aftermath of the court case that convicted Luis Rubiales earlier this week, Spain are on the brink of a 2-1 defeat against Belgium.
Belgium have had less than 20 per cent off the possession, but they are holding on to a narrow lead as the match goes into stoppage time.
07:29 PM GMT
It’s not all sunshine in Portugal
Come to Portugal, they said. It will be sunny, they said.
The heavens have opened here and staff are handing out ponchos to people entering the stadium.
It’s only a 5,000 capacity venue and the game has sold out, but there’s plenty of people that haven’t taken their seats yet with the rain pouring in.
Hoping it improves before kick-off!
07:22 PM GMT
The Lionesses have arrived
The team have arrived at the stadium ahead of their first match of 2025
07:15 PM GMT
England vs Portugal logistics
The match between England and Portugal at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao is a sell out with 5,000 spectators expected, including 500 travelling fans backing the Lionesses.
England will be in white shirt, blue shorts, white socks with goalkeeper Mary Earps in all yellow,Portugal will be in red shirt, green shorts, red socks with their goalkeeper in all grey.
There will be no Goal Line Technology and as per UEFA regulations at this stage of the competition no VAR
Match officials:
Referee – Ivana Projkovska (MKD)
Assistant referees – Ainhoa Fernandez (AND), Stasa Spur (SVN)
Fourth official – Marjan Dejanoski (MKD)
07:05 PM GMT
England team news in depth
Sarina Weigman has made a few changes to the side, including Grace Clinton who replaces the injured Georgia Stanway.
Mary Earps has been chosen between the posts instead of Hannah Hampton. Ella Toone will play as the number 10, with Alessia Russo up front.
06:54 PM GMT
Meet the real Lauren James
As Lauren James returns to the international fold after an injury lay off, our reporter Kathryn Batte has spoken to the Chelsea player about being unique, racism and why Sonia Bompastor is the most competitive person she has met.
Lauren James at her best is undeniably the Lionesses’ most exciting player. When she is running at defenders with a combination of pace, power and skill, there is little anyone can do to stop her.
But it has been 10 months since we last saw James strike fear into defenders on the international stage. Her most recent England appearance came against the Republic of Ireland in April, when she scored the first goal in a 2-0 win, nutmegging defender Louise Quinn with her close-range finish.
A spate of injuries, the latest keeping her out for three months between October and January, prevented her from much involvement in the qualifying campaign for this summer’s European Championship in Switzerland. Now, fully fit and fresh from scoring a 92nd-minute winner in Chelsea’s victory over Everton, James is back in the England squad for the forthcoming Nations League games against Portugal and Spain.
To read the full article click here.
06:45 PM GMT
Chloe Kelly a late addition to England’s Nations League squad
Chloe Kelly has been called up to the England squad, the day after making her first appearance for Arsenal in the north London derby.
In Sarina Wiegman’s initial 24-player squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain, Kelly was omitted, with the manager saying she needed more playing time, but she has now been brought back in along with Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker.
The pair replace Kelly’s new team-mates Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy, who have both withdrawn with injury. The latter was not in Arsenal’s squad for the match against Tottenham owing to a slight muscle injury.
To read the full article about the full squad for the international window, click here.
06:41 PM GMT
England team news: Grace Clinton to make push for Spain starting place
Grace Clinton gets the nod in the number eight role, it will be a big chance for her to lay down a marker, and fight for contention in an injury-hit squad.
If she can play well tonight, then there’s every chance she keeps her place for Spain.
It looks like Jess Park will be in the front three too which is interesting, and unusual for Sarina Weigman to make such a significant change to her tactics.
06:35 PM GMT
England take on Portugal in first match of Euros title defence year
Good evening and welcome to the live coverage of England Women’s first match of 2025.
The Lionesses will take on Portugal to kick off the year during which they will try and defend their European title in Switzerland this summer.
In 2024, Sarina Wiegman’s side were criticised for some of their displays having failed to qualify for the Olympics, and struggled against the Netherlands and France, but with the Euros approaching rapidly, they will want to show they have put those problems behind them.
In the Nations League, England will take on Spain and Belgium as well as Portugal and the competition as a whole determines where the team will rank for the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
But England’s 2025 starts with a host of injuries, including Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp, with Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy dropping out of the squad just before the international break.
Lauren James returns for the first time after being sidelines with injury, with Niamh Charles also making an international return.
