((Livestream TV)) England v Portugal live free 02/07/2023
They lacked energy, presumably impacted by the fact they had not played for several weeks following the end of the Women's Super League (WSL) season, and were forced out wide for large periods by a stubborn Portugal defence. Daly should have scored early on though when Lauren Hemp curled in an inviting cross at the back post, only for her to poke the ball wide, while James showed glimpses of quality, combining nicely with full-back Bronze on the right-hand side. However, it was not until the second half that the European champions started to show spark and their superiority.
Portugal U-18 vs England U-18 Live Score and Live Stream
Lionesses score and latest updates from World Cup send-off
They were most effective when they were able to get in behind Portugal's defence in the second half, with Kelly particularly fruitful out wide. As the game wore on, England's connections started to build, and James' link-up play with Bronze and Russo in particular helped her claim for a World Cup starting position. The Chelsea forward was one of England's brightest players, while Daly failed to take her chance from the start as number nine, struggling to have an impact and missing a few opportunities. Young Manchester City defender Esme Morgan was backed by Wiegman to start at centre-back despite struggling against Australia, but here she showed maturity and composure alongside Jess Carter. If Millie Bright, who has not featured since March because of a knee injury, does not recover in time for the opening game of the tournament, Morgan has shown she is capable of playing there. All in all, the shutout provided successful auditions for James, Morgan and Russo, less so for Toone and Daly.
Lionesses result and reaction from World Cup send-off
Line-upsEnglandFormation 4-3-31Earps2Bronze15Morgan16Carter5GreenwoodSubstituted forCharlesat 45'minutes8StanwaySubstituted forCoombsat 65'minutes4WalshSubstituted forZelemat 65'minutes10TooneSubstituted forKellyat 45'minutes7James9DalySubstituted forRussoat 45'minutes11HempSubstituted forRobinsonat 81'minutesSubstitutes3Charles13Hampton14Wubben-Moy17Coombs18Kelly19England20Zelem21Roebuck22Robinson23Russo24Le Tissier25StaniforthPortugalFormation 4-1-2-1-21Teixeira Pereira9Marques Borges19Ribeiro GomesBooked at 90mins15da Silva Costa2Silva AmadoSubstituted forSousa Alvesat 81'minutes14Jácome da SilvaSubstituted forde Jesus Jacintoat 62'minutes11Ferreira PintoBooked at 80mins8NortonSubstituted forTrindade Coruche Mendesat 81'minutes20Ramos Ribeiro Nazareth SousaSubstituted forPalma Capetaat 50'minutes16Abreu de Sousa e SilvaSubstituted forVelosa Encarnaçãoat 62'minutes10Manjenje Nogueira SilvaSubstitutes3Sousa Alves4Garcia Rebelo5Gaspar Silva Marchão6de Jesus Jacinto7Santos Marques Rodrigues12Sousa Barros Morais13Figueira Pinto17Silva Seiça18Trindade Coruche Mendes21Palma Capeta22Campos Costa23Velosa Encarnação25de Figueiredo Lima CorreiaReferee:Esther StaubliAttendance:30, 000Live TextMatch ends, England 0, Portugal Women 0.
Lionesses draw with Portugal in World Cup send-off