21 November 2007, by Joao Pedro

Portugal U21s miss chance to cut England’s lead

Portugal 1-1 England

Portugal U21s draw 1-1 at home to England yesterday. Vieirinha put the hosts in front from the penalty spot early on but Johnson equalised in the second half.

The result makes it extremely difficult for Portugal to attain first place in the qualifying group, which guarantees progress to the next phase. Rui Cacador’s team’s best hope of making it to the play-offs now appears to be finishing as one of the best second-placed teams out of all the qualifying groups.

England had not conceded a goal in their previous five matches which had brought them five victories, but Portugal needed only three minutes to break through the previously impenetrable defence.

FC Porto winger Vieirinha, enjoying a fine season on loan at Leixoes, showed his trickery and speed to skip past Gardner in the box, with the defender’s lunge leading to a clear-cut penalty. Vieirinha picked himself up to confidently dispatch the spot kick past goalkeeper Joe Hart.

                                    Group 3 Standings

Midway through the first half Portugal almost doubled their lead as Hart raced out of his goal but cleared the ball straight to the feet of Portugal captain Joao Moutinho. The Sporting midfielder shot towards the empty net but his strike lacked power and Hart managed to scramble back across his goal to make the save.

On 35 minutes England almost equalised as Arsenal forward Walcott was released through on goal but Ricardo Baptista did well to come off his line quickly and deflect the shot wide.

The second half started with a bang as a throw-in for England was launched into the box and poor defending from Portugal allowed the ball to arrive at the feet of Adam Johnson who shot firmly into the net.

England then enjoyed a spell of domination, with Walcott and Jonhson coming close to putting the visitors ahead.

Portugal regained control and pushed hard for the winner in the final 15 minutes, with Moutinho and Targino both coming close to hitting a late winner, but a draw was a fair result.

Portugal:
Ricardo Baptista, Vasco Fernandes, Andre Coelho, Goncalo Brandao, Antunes, Paulo Machado, Joao Moutinho, Pele (Celestino, 65), Joao Moreira (Targino, 46), Saleiro, Vieirinha (Pereirinha, 76)

England:
Joe Hart, Craig Gardner, Steven Taylor (Michael Mancienne, 46), David Wheater, Joe Mattock, Fabrice Muamba, Tom Huddlestone, Lee Cattermole, James Milner, Adam Jonhson, Theo Walcott
Yellow Cards: Taylor, Muamba

Goals:
[1-0] Vieirinha, 3 (pen)
[1-1] Johnson, 49