Portugal 3-1 England

UEFA Under 21 Championship - Group One
Hardturm stadium, Zürich 7.30pm kick (BST)

England's Under 21s have crashed out of the UEFA Championships after defeat in Zurich to a strong Portuguese side.

Portugal started brightly, infront of nearly 10,000 of their own fans, knowing only a win would do for them to have a hope of qualification and their fast-paced football showed signs of turning into goals.

With only 4 minutes on the clock England could count themselves lucky not to go behind. Hugo Viana latched onto a telling through ball but his shot from the edge of the area drifted wide. Moments later another through ball found Neca free but he failed to connect with his slide-cum-shot.

But Portugal were not disheartened and continued to press and they got their reward after seven minutes when Neca controlled a cross from the bright Antonio Semedo into the path of Paulo Teixeira who made no mistake with his low 12-yard drive just inside Paul Robinson's left hand post.

Semedo was a thorn in the left hand side of England for much of the first half as his attacking tendencies troubled Konchesky. It was his skill that allowed Portugal to strengthen their advantage on 20 minutes as he tricked inside the box past the Charlton defender and his challenge done little more than take the number 18's face closer to the grass. The Turkish referee pointed to the spot and Aziza Makakula stroked his penalty home without a second thought.

With England struggling to break down the Portuguese defence, David Platt was forced into a tactical switch introducing Shola Ameobi in place of Jonathan Greening. And what an impact the Newcastle star made as he drove into the penalty area after being released down the right flank. A twist and a turn and things opened up but his shot went into the side netting

But on 43 minutes it was his run and pass from the left that fed Alan Smith.

The Leed's man took his first touch past the last defender before sliding the ball past Leite to give England a glimmer.

In the second half England came out looking to take the game to Portugal while they searched for the valuable equaliser, but they could not turn the key.

And it was Portugal's Miguel on 62 minutes, on as a substitute a minute earlier, who went close with his 20 yard drive that shaved Robinson's post.

Five minutes later England's skipper David Dunn got on the end of Ameobi's deep cross but failed to keep his first-time shot down as it went over the bar and a minute later England's championship chances followed.

Hugo Viani picked the ball up 18 yards out and danced into the area where he unleashed a fierce low shot that tucked into the far corner of the net, and tucked up England's Championship hopes.

In the closing stages England searched for some joy, but not even a consolation came their way as chances from substitutes Bobby Zamora and Scott Parker failed to test Leite.

Portugal's invention deserved the victory, their first of these championships, but with Switzerland earning a draw against Italy in the other group one game, their efforts were rewarded only with another meeting with the England team - tomorrow morning at the airport.

Teams

Portugal: Sérgio Leite (c), Vilhena Faisca, Tonel, Jorge Ribeiro, Hugo Viana, Teixeira (Miguel, 61) ,Makukula (Paulo Costa, 56), Pedro Mendes, Semedo, Neca (Ednilson, 79), Bruno Alves.

England: Robinson, Young, Konchesky, Barry, Dunn (c), Greening (Ameobi, 30), Pennant (Parker, 72), Defoe (Zamora, 67), Smith, Prutton, Knight.

Referee: Erol Ersoy (Turkey)