PORTUGAL START WITH WIN IN EURO U-21 CHAMPONSHIP

England 0-1 PortugalJoão Mário pounced on 57 minutes to give Portugal opening win against England in Group B.

First England lost forward Saido Berahino to injury, then they lost their opening match of thisUEFA European Under-21 Championship as Portugal made a winning start in Group B.

It was a victory earned by a goal from midfielder João Mário after 57 minutes. The chance came about when Luke Garbutt, trying to make an interception in the box, inadvertently teed up Bernardo Silva. The No10 rolled his shot against the post but the ball ran out to João Mário who found the empty net.

Despite twice as many shots on target, it capped a disappointing day for England who had announced the loss of Berahino, the top scorer in qualifying, at lunchtime. That was a fresh setback for a side already missing defender John Stones through concussion.

That said, there had been encouraging signs for both sides early on. Jack Butland made an excellent early reaction save after Liam Moore had deflected a Ricardo Esgaio cross goalward. At the other end José Sá beat away a Nathan Redmond shot after good work down England’s right. Both England wingers were looking bright, with Jesse Lingard, deputising for Saido Berahino, firing two shots just off target.

Berahino was a spectator here yet in Harry Kane, England still have a genuine attacking threat and on 34 minutes he turned and drew a diving save from Sa with a fierce low shot.

Portugal, who won all ten qualifying games, looked the more assured side on the ball but their shooting was rather more wayward with playmaker Bernardo Silva and Ivan Cavaleiro both failing to make more of good openings.

England started the second period brightly with Redmond testing Sá once more before James Ward-Prowse curled a free-kick just wide. Instead, though, Portugal got the breakthrough and although Kane threatened with a couple of half-chances, Rui Jorge's men had the points after their first U21 win against England since 2003.

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