England’s final match on home soil before the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 saw them held to a goalless draw by Portugal at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes this afternoon.
The Lionesses dominated the ball and the attacking play but they were unable to find a winning goal against a Portugal side ranked 17 places below them in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
The majority of the play in the first 45 minutes occurred inside the Portugal half but quality goalscoring opportunities were very much at a premium. Rachel Daly’s early header looked to be going in but Portuguese keeper Inês Pereira somehow clawed the ball to safety. England then had to wait until first half injury time for their next good goalscoring opportunity but Georgia Stanway could only direct the ball against the woodwork.
The Lionesses were brighter in the second half. Lauren Hemp sent an early header narrowly wide before Chloe Kelly’s effort was pushed away by Pereira.
England looked to set break the deadlock just before the hour when Alessia Russo rounded Pereira but Ana Borges got back to clear the forward’s effort off the line.
Bronze soon saw a header strike the post before Russo again went close when she fired a low shot narrowly wide of the Portuguese goal.
Russo caused plenty of problems for the opposition defence but she was struggling to trouble Pereira. She sent two further efforts wide of goal as England searched for the all-important opener.
The Lionesses continued to push forward in the final 15 minutes of the match but they were unable to trouble Pereira as the game ended goalless. England will fly out to Australia on Wednesday as they complete their final preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
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