Kika Nazareth’s strike rescued Portugal a 1-1 draw at home to England in their 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League A3 opener.
Alessia Russo fired England into a 15th minute lead from Lucy Bronze’s cross which the forward smashed in from close range.
England ultimately couldn’t build on their lead as Portugal grew into the game, which saw Nazareth snatch a draw for the hosts with a 75th minute strike.
England now sit second with Portugal just below them in third after Spain came from 2-0 down to beat Belgium and top the group.
Lionesses defender, Millie Bright felt that the match was “a game of two halves” as she spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live post-match, but believes that they need to take confidence from the draw heading into a huge home game against Spain on 26 February.
“We need to be confident, we didn’t win the game but equally we didn’t lose the game. I think you have to draw out the positives from the performance. It’s small margins in football, I think if we make those tweaks it takes us to another level.”
Having stuttered to a goalless draw against Portugal in their only previous meeting under Sarina Wiegman – which came in the build-up to 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, England began this game on the front foot against Portugal’s defensive low block as Lauren James fired over in the ninth minute.
England’s early pressure paid off after just 15 minutes as James freely cut in from the left with a cross across to Bronze on the right-flank, from which her Chelsea teammate whipped a cross into the box which Russo right-footed in from close-range to put the Lionesses ahead.
Wiegman’s Lionesses continued to dominate but Portugal’s organised low-block defence continued to frustrate them, amidst a 32nd minute shot from James which flew wide of the right corner as the visitors struggled to create many clear-cut chances to extend their lead before half-time.
Portugal however saw a 42nd minute shot from Diana Silva blocked before she put the rebound effort wide, which paved the way for the hosts to crank up the intensity after the break, although Ines Pereira made two crucial early second-half saves as she denied James and collected the subsequent corner.
England in contrast continued to struggle to break down the Portuguese hosts which came to haunt them as Nazareth met Pinto’s 75th minute pass, from which she calmly smashed into the top-right corner just 15 minutes after she came on as a substitute for Dolores Silva.
Portugal eventually finished on top but failed to complete their comeback as the Lionesses dug deep defensively to snatch a point, which left England sat second in the group with Portugal in third position.
What’s Next?
Portugal head to Leuven to visit Belgium on Wednesday 26 February at 7:15pm CET (6:15pm UK Time) in the first of what will be key clashes between both teams in their fight to avoid relegation to League B.
England will host Spain at Wembley Stadium, London, that same evening in a 8pm GMT kick-off in a blockbuster clash which could well prove key in terms of who tops this League A3 group.
Teams
Portugal: Ines Pereira, Ana Borges, Carole Costa, Diana Gomes, Catarina Amado (Jacinto 60′), Dolores Silva (Nazareth 59′), Tatiana Pinto, Joana Marchao (Alves 60′), Andreia Norton, Jessica Silva (Capeta 75′), Diana Silva (Faria 93′)
Substitutes: Rute Costa, Ana Dias, Andreia Faria, Ana Capeta, Kika Nazareth, Stephanie Ribeiro, Ana Rute, Carolina Mendes, Ana Seica, Andreia Jacinto, Lucia Alves, Patricia Morais
England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze (Carter 46′), Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Grace Clinton (Beever-Jones 84′), Jess Park (Kelly 84′), Alessia Russo, Lauren James
Substitutes: Aggie Beever-Jones, Laura Blindkilde-Brown, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Maya Le Tissier, Ruby Mace, Anna Moorhouse, Esme Morgan, Jess Naz, Nikita Parris, Millie Turner
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