Key events
The teams
England: Hampton, Bronze, Carter, Walsh, Williamson, Morgan, Mead, Clinton, Beever-Jones, Park, Hemp
Subs: Charles, Keating, Le Tissier, Greenwood, Stanway, Kelly, Kearns, Parris, Kirby, Moorhouse, Wubben-Moy, Agyemang
Portugal: Pereira, Borges, Costa, Pinto, Norton, Jacinto, Silva, Pinto, Amado, Capeta, Silva
Subs: Correia, Dias, Cota-Yarde, Lino, Silva, Faria, Fonseca, Ribeiro, Lopes, Mendes, Encarnação, Morais
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Women’s Nations League match between England and Portugal at Wembley.
It’s the reverse fixture of group A3’s opening game in February that saw a sublime goal from Kika Nazareth hold England to a draw after Alessia Russo’s opener.
England’s preparation for this game and the Euros in July has largely been overshadowed by Mary Earps’ decision to retire from international football on Tuesday. The 2022 and 2023 winner of Fifa’s Best goalkeeper award said: “Ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger players an opportunity to thrive.” All eyes will be on the England No.1 Hannah Hampton and the rest of the team as they adapt to Earps’ exit.
For Portugal tonight’s game marks an opportunity to go level on points with England in the group. Even with a win, it’s unlikely that they’ll leapfrog England after Spain thrashed them 7-1 in their last game. Their clash with England will be good preparation for their opening game of the Euros against their Iberian rivals.
Kick off is at 7:45pm. Send me an “>email with your predictions.
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