Portugal vs England - Match Preview

This Friday, we will see Portugal take on the Lionesses as part of the UEFA Women’s Nations League, the first time the teams have played together in a competition since EURO 2017.

The game is set to be a big one for both teams, with Portugal having lost each of their last 4 matches in the competition so far, so they will be hoping to get a win against the EURO 2022 winners, however England are known for their big wins, and their first game of 2024 saw them beat Austria 7-2, so they will be hoping for a similar, if not better score for their first game of 2025.

Last time the two teams played together was a friendly in July 2023, just prior to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where England were the runners up. They drew 0-0, which was great for Portugal who would have gone into the game nervous.

In today’s pre-match press conference, Sarina Wiegman was hopeful for a good win against the home side. Lucy Bronze was also present in the conference, and when asked about the opposition, she said, “They’ve got a good array of players now. They’ve developed a lot in the last ten years especially which I know from having watched them quite closely. The league has developed a lot more in Portugal as well. They’re developing really good players and they’ve got fast forwards.”

Lucy Bronze has Portuguese heritage amongst her family, so has watched the team closely on many occasions and is aware of the challenge the Lionesses will face against them.

Of course, the players have one eye on the upcoming EURO 2025 tournament, which will take place this summer. Wiegman has touched upon how they are working towards it on many occasions recently, but has stated that they are “taking one game at a time, and focusing on the game in hand”.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Arsenal players Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy had withdrawn from the England squad due to injury. Chloe Kelly and Lucy Parker, of Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively, have been called up in their place. So far, all other players seem to be fit for the game on Friday, therefore the starting lineup will be a mystery to all until it is decided by Sarina Wiegman ahead of the game.

The match is available to watch on Friday 21st February in the UK on ITV, kicking off from the Estádio Municipal de Portimão stadium at 19:45 GMT.