In a group with the World Cup holders and the world’s number two side, Spain, and Belgium and Portugal, ranked 19th and 22nd in the world respectively, Kika Nazareth’s goal to cancel out Alessia Russo’s first-half effort will be a frustrating and potentially dangerous one.
Barcelona’s forward Nazareth, who made her debut for Benfica at 16, had been a surprise omission from the Portugal starting XI but she made England pay for their profligacy in the second half, the substitute shrugging off the challenge of Clinton before she curled the ball into the top corner from just inside the box with force.
The longer the second goal eluded the visiting team, the more Portugal grew into the game, the pace of Jéssica Silva and Diana Silva up front forcing England’s back line, and Earps, to stay alert to the threat posed.
After scoring on her debut for the senior side almost a year ago, Clinton scored the solo goal in the Lionesses’ 1-0 friendly defeat of Switzerland in December and scored England’s second in a 2-1 win over South Africa in October.
Clear cut chances were few and far between, Francisco Neto’s side a well-organised unit, but England arguably should have had a penalty moments before the break, Clinton furious after being pulled back as she drove through the middle to meet Russo’s header back across goal.
