Why Portugal Can Take Positives from Loss to England in Euro 2016 Warm-Up

As everyone plots their way through what might happen at UEFA Euro 2016, there has been a tendency to overlook Portugal’s Group F. Take out Cristiano Ronaldo, and it doesn’t look very glamourous.

Iceland, Austria and Hungary will be the opponents for a country not quite considered among the favourites for glory in France.

Although they lost 1-0 against England in their pre-tournament friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, there was enough in the performance to suggest they should be taken fairly seriously over the next month.

In the match, Bruno Alves’ 35th-minute red card for almost decapitating Harry Kane contributed to a diluted display from a Ronaldo-less visiting side, who held out well against a disjointed England until Chris Smalling headed the winner with just four minutes left.

But manager Fernando Santos should take the 1-0 defeat to heart.

Playing with 10 men against a side of England’s quality must have been tough. But, it should have given Santos the chance to see his squad put through the wringer in a way not normally associated with friendlies.

Closing down. Harassing the opposition. Keeping their shape. It was all evident from a visiting side that didn’t have its superstar captain around to save them.

This was as good a defensive drill as Santos could have wished for. The prevailing thought for him must be that this was a good dress rehearsal for what …

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