England v Portugal is a match in the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championships and is played on Sunday at 18:00: line-ups and predictions.
It was England who impressed most in the group stage of the Under-21 European Championship being played between Romania and Georgia. The only selection to finish with full points alongside France, the Irishman Lee Carsley’s side qualified for the quarter-finals a round earlier with two convincing wins over the Czech Republic and Israel, both of whom they beat comfortably 2-0.
England who then, on the final day, did not discount Germany at all: what should have been a direct clash for the first place in the group became an in or out match exclusively for the Germans, who were obliged to win to avoid elimination. They failed to do so, thanks to another impeccable performance from Carsley’s men, capable of scoring two goals and at the same time keeping their goal unbroken for the third game in a row. Important numbers, certifying the clear improvement of England, two years ago unable to get past the group stage. The Young Lions last played in the semi-finals in 2017, while the league title has been missing since 1984. In the quarter-finals they will be up against reigning runners-up Portugal: surprisingly, the Lusitanians ‘only’ qualified as runners-up in a group that saw hosts Georgia come first, the authors of a real exploit.
Portugal did not impress
Rui Jorge’s selection were virtually out until the 89th minute of the match against Belgium, but a last-gasp Tiago Dantas penalty allowed them to get through the first phase by the skin of their teeth, with four points from nine available.
Pedro Neto
In their first two outings, Portugal had not impressed at all, losing resoundingly to Georgia in the opener (2-0) and not going beyond a draw with the Netherlands. There has been a perfect parity in the fourteen previous matches between the two teams: six wins each and two draws. England have the chance to avenge their defeat at the European Championships two years ago, which contributed to the Young Lions’ elimination.
The Prediction
England are scoring with incredible continuity: in the last two years they have always done so in official matches. And at the European Championship so far it has been the English who have shown the best things, in both areas of the pitch. Portugal are certainly not lacking in quality from the waist up but in the group stage they did not impress, scoring just three goals and qualifying on the last day in a group they should have dominated. We’re up against England, in a match that should result in at least two goals in total.
England v Portugal official line-ups
- INGHILTERRA U21 (4-4-2): Trafford; Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Aarons; Madueke, Jones, Gomes, Smith Rowe; Gibbs-White, Gordon.
- PORTOGALLO U21 (4-3-3): Biai; Zé Carlos, Penetra, Amaro, Nuno Tavares; Samuel Costa, Dantas, Joao Neves; Conceicao, Fabio Silva, Pedro Neto.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
