England vs Portugal LIVE: Lionesses result and reaction from World Cup send-off
England 0-0 Portugal: Sarina Wiegman’s side were held to a goalless draw before they travel to Australia next week
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England were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Portugal in their final match before the Lionesses head to the Women’s World Cup.
The hosts dominated possession and had several chances to take the lead at Milton Keynes but could not find the breakthrough, with Alessia Russo coming closest with a shot that was cleared off the line by Portugal defender Marques Borges.
Russo also dragged a chance wide after a pull-back from Chloe Kelly while Lucy Bronze hit the post from a corner during a flurry of second-half chances.
England fly to Australia later this week and play their opening match of the World Cup against Haiti on July 22. Before then the Lionesses will play Canada in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Brisbane.
Follow all the reaction the Lionesses were held by Portugal:
England 0-0 Portugal
81 mins: Katie Robinson is next on for England, replacing Hemp. Kelly takes a wild swing at a chance at the back post. England certainly aren’t giving up on this yet. Ten minutes to find the winner.
England 0-0 Portugal
77 mins: Close (again)! The build-up play is sharp once again from the Lionesses - James playing a lovely ball around the corner to Kelly, who whips in an excellent low cross. Russo meets it at the front post but can’t direct her effort across goal!
Russo then drags another effort wide... is this not going to be England’s day?
England 0-0 Portugal
74 mins: Close! England take a quick corner and play back to Zelem, who whips in a great cross and finds the arriving Niamh Charles. The defender makes a good connection on the header but it’s straight at the keeper.
England 0-0 Portugal
70 mins: Marps Earps has yet to be tested in the England goal but the Lionesses almost play themselves into trouble with a back-pass that cheaply concedes a corner, and could have been worse. England are able to clear.
England 0-0 Portugal
Two more changes for England as Katie Zelem replaces Stanway and Laura Coombs comes on for Walsh.
Hats off to the Portugal defender Marques Borges for that goal-saving challenge - by the way.
England 0-0 Portugal
61 mins: And now WIDE! Incredible! England miss a hat-trick of chances in a flurry of minutes! Kelly works her way into the box and squares for Russo, who places her shot wide from 12 yards!
England 0-0 Portugal
59 mins: And now OFF THE POST! From the corner, Lucy Bronze strikes the frame of the goal at the back post! England just aren’t getting a break!
England 0-0 Portugal
58 mins: OFF THE LINE! England open up Portugal with a superb pass through to Russo, who nips around the goalkeeper but is denied on the line!
England 0-0 Portugal
56 mins: Penalty? Russo takes a pass from Stanway in her stride and edges into the box, before going to ground under the challenge of Silva Amado. There wasn’t much there.
England 0-0 Portugal
53 mins: SAVE! Much better from England. James picks the ball up in space and turns, before finding Kelly to the right. Kelly drives onto her left foot and shoots across goal, but it’s palmed away by the Portugal keeper.
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