Wes Brown was picked in the Under 21 squad with the England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson saying that he still had a chance to make the full England squad for the World Cup 2002. Brown received a facial injury in training with the Under 21 squad, however, so he did not play in the match.

England started with a strong squad against a good skilful side from Portugal. In the first half of the game, the Portuguese midfield of Ednilson, Tiago and Miguel dominated the midfield and England's front men did not see much of the ball. Sean Davis and Michael Carrick, especially, were having a hard time getting and keeping the ball.

England's best chance of the first half came after 35 minutes when David Dunn got in a cross from the byline on the right side - Malcolm Christie had a difficult shot which was saved by the Portuguese goalkeeper, Leite, at the near post.

After 39 minutes, Portugal went 1-0 up. Costa took a free kick from the right side and defender Tonel jumped above Stephen Wright at the far post - he headed the ball across the goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, and into the goal to give Portugal a deserved first half lead. Portugal also hit the post from another free kick just before the end of the first half.

In the second half Gareth Barry took over the captaincy from David Dunn who was replaced at half time by the excellent Jermaine Pennant. England were much improved in the second half and after 55 minutes their 6 foot 7 inch substitute Peter Crouch headed over from a free kick.

After 69 minutes, Portugal could have scored again against the run of play - substitute Teixeira got clear and chipped the ball over England's second half goalkeeper, Chris Kirkland but the shot went just wide of the far post. Within the next ten minutes, Crouch had two good chances for England but put them both wide.

In the last 10 minutes of the game, England had several chances to equalise - Jermaine Defoe had a good shot which the goalkeeper saved well to his left - Crouch had an excellent chance with five minutes to go but headed straight at the goalkeeper - Defoe got to a cross from Pennant with two minutes to go but put it wide - there were more chances for England in injury time but Portugal held on for the 1-0 win.
 

Who played well: Pennant and Barry had good games in this match - Defoe also looked dangerous when he came on.

Who did not play as well: Sean Davis did not have a good game and David Dunn did not see as much of the ball as he would have wanted to in the first half.

This was the first loss for the England Under 21 squad after an eight game unbeaten run and it was David Platt's first loss in charge. Platt's team were the better team in the second half, however, so he should take some comfort from that. The England Under 21 team take on Portugal again in the European Under 21 Championships on May 22 and that will be a much more important game.