England U21s sunk by old flaws as Portugal expose gulf in class
European Under-21 Championship campaign gets off to a disappointing start as England lose
England 0 Portugal 1
England endured a "familiar disappointing start" to their European Under-21 Championship challenge as they were beaten by Portugal in their opening fixture.
The goal came from Joao Mario just before the hour and, despite bullish predictions about England's chances in the run-up to the tournament, The Guardian says that "at times it was clear that some of Portugal's number had played in the Champions League last season whereas some of England's had played in the Championship".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
England were unbeaten in qualification but suffered two blows prior to the opening game with West Brom striker Saido Berahino ruled out of the competition with a knee problem, and Everton defender John Stones forced to sit out the first two games after suffering a concussion in training.
But it was not all doom and gloom, says the paper, as England "showed enough to suggest that their pre-tournament optimism was not entirely misplaced", adds The Guardian.
There is no shame in losing to Portugal, suggests The Times. "Premier League scouts will not have been surprised at last night's outcome. Portugal has long been a hotbed of football talent... and many of the stars of their under-21 side are already well known."
It singles out William Carvalho, the Sporting Lisbon midfielder consistently linked with Arsenal, Bernado Silva of AS Monaco and Porto winger Ricardo Pereira for special mentions.
Portugal were "slick" says Henry Winter in the Daily Telegraph, while England suffered from their usual problems.
"The football is more fluid and entertaining than in the Stuart Pearce era but flaws remain," he says. "Defensive errors, ranging from concentration to positioning, afflict England at assorted age-group levels."
In attack, England's "flashes of excellence were never sustained", adds Winter. "It was all a contrast to the intelligent possession football of the Portuguese."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
Can England's Euros team hold their nerve?
Today's Big Question Three Lions' 'lopsided' opening win over Serbia raises more questions than it answers
By The Week UK Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Lionesses will have regrets but their legacy can be ‘incredible’
feature England stars return home after heartbreaking Women’s World Cup final loss to Spain
By Mike Starling Published
-
How English women’s football could become a billion pound industry
feature Building on the success of the Lionesses won’t be easy but it is eminently possible
By The Week Staff Published
-
Lionesses dig deep after Lauren James’s ‘Beckham-esque’ red card
feature England reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after a 4-2 win on penalties against Nigeria
By Mike Starling Published
-
Curse of the Lionesses: what’s causing spate of England women’s football injuries?
Under the Radar Several key players are out of the World Cup, raising concerns about hectic schedules, sub-par pitches and sexism
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
‘Captain fantastic’: Harry Kane’s most memorable England goals
feature Kane has overtaken Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’s all-time leading goalscorer
By Mike Starling Published