England 1-2 Portugal

European Under 21 Championships
Qualifying Group 7
Goodison Park, Everton
Tuesday 9th September 2003

David Platt's England Under-21 side bowed out of this summer's European Championship finals on Tuesday night after a disputed winner for Portugal saw them seal the second spot in Group 7.
 
Facing arguably the finest attacking trio in the world at this level in Ronaldo, Quaresma and Postiga, David Platt sprung a tactical surprise by fielding Chelsea defender Glen Johnson at right midfield in an attempt to nullify the visitors' threat down the flank.

Not that the change paid immediate dividends. Portugal were ahead after only four minutes.

Ronaldo, dancing his way to the byline, was brought down by Johnson and Barcelona's Quaresma stepped-up to bend home the free-kick from what had seemed an impossible angle.

Lee Grant was probably still acclimatising to his position in the starting line-up to replace Chris Kirkland (who injured his groin in the warm-up) as the ball sped past him on the slick surface. 

To their credit, Platt's boys responded in fine fashion. A rasping Paul Konchesky effort and a fine run and cross from Johnson set the tone for our revival.

In the end it was local boy Joey Barton - who grew up only a few streets away from Steven Gerrard - that sent Goodison wild with well-deserved equaliser.

Jeffers, who put everything into the game on his first return to Goodison as an Everton player, outfoxed the Portuguese defence with a quicksilver turn and Barton, following up, prodded the ball home. 

The second-half started with England still on top and Johnson, who was a revelation in his new position, thrilling the 23,744 crowd with his pace and power.

Twice he burst into goalscoring positions but was unable to provide the killer finish.

England's players were up for this and Jeffers was arguably lucky to stay on when he got involved in a skirmish following another threatening England attack. Coach David Platt implored him to keep his head - and he did.

In fact England did everything right on the night. But you cannot account for some goals. 

With only twelve minutes remaining, and with England at full throttle, Helder Postiga's handled effort evaded Lee Grant's desperate dive. It knocked the stuffing out of England.

David Platt threw on Jermain Defoe as England gave it one last go but you just had the feeling it was not to be.

"This was the best performance that this year group has produced," Platt remarked after the game. "But tonight our previous results caught up with us."

From Dan Freedman at Goodison Park 

 
The Teams

England: Grant, Jagielka, Dawson, Clarke, Konchesky, Johnson, Prutton (Defoe), Barton, Barry, Jeffers, Ameobi.
Subs: Hibbert, Sidwell, Tonge, Wright-Phillips, Defoe, Zamora, Burch.

Goals: Barton 37

Portugal: Moreira, Joao Paulo, Ricardo Costa, Bruno Alves, Bosingwa, Tiago, Viana, Hugo Luz, Quaresma, Postiga, Ronaldo.
Subs: Bruno Vale, Mario Sergio, Santamaria, Raul Meireles, Candido Costa, Lourenco, Pedro Neves.

Goals: Quaresma 4, Postiga 78

Referee: Athanassios Briakos (Greece)