England v Portugal clockwatch

Scholes puts England ahead... but not for long

England 2-3 Portugal
(Eindhoven - Att: 33,000)

1 min: After months of hype and build-up, kick-off in Eindhoven finally arrives and within 30 seconds, Alan Shearer nods straight at Vitor Baia in the Portugal goal.

3 mins: David Beckham sends over a glorious cross from the right and Paul Scholes rises well to power a header home off the underside of the crossbar. England could not have asked for a better start.
England 1-0 Portugal

6 mins: David Seaman touches away an inswinging corner as Portugal seek to respond quickly.

10 mins: Seaman is left stranded by a cross from the right but Joao Pinto can only head the ball straight down into the ground and it bounces harmlessly over the bar.

15 mins: The England keeper is called into action again, this time turning away a fierce swerving shot from Rui Costa.

Ince and Figo battle in midfield

18 mins: Michael Owen feeds Beckham on the right, and England's danger man sends over another delightful centre. It sails over Scholes but Steve McManaman runs in from the left to stylishly sweep home on the half volley. It's 2-0, and England are in dreamland.
England 2-0 Portugal

22 mins: Suddenly Luis Figo finds a bit of space and surges towards the England box unchallenged. His rasping drive deflects through the legs of Tony Adams and flies into the top corner. Portugal are back in it.
England 2-1 Portugal

31 mins: England are still threatening in attack but look vulnerable at the back. Nuno Gomes and Joao Pinto are linking well up front for Portugal, and only McManaman's vital interception at the expense of a corner breaks up another fine move.

38 mins: Rui Costa is afforded time on the right and he delivers a pinpoint low cross. Joao Pinto gets ahead of Sol Campbell and directs the ball past Seaman and in off the post with the deftest of diving headers.
England 2-2 Portugal

Joao Pinto's great header pulls Portugal level

44 mins: Paul Ince's frustration boils over, and he becomes the first player to be booked for a challenge on Joao Pinto.

46 mins: Emile Heskey comes on at half-time to replace Michael Owen who was challenged heavily by Jorge Costa in the first half. But England are under pressure straight away, Joao Pinto shooting over after Seaman fails to meet a corner.

50 mins: McManaman feeds Phil Neville down the left and his first-time cross is headed just wide by Shearer.

53 mins: McManaman goes down under another strong challenge, and though he rejoins the action briefly after treatment on his knee, he is eventually replaced by Dennis Wise.

59 mins: England are caught flat-footed at the back yet again, and an innocuous enough ball from Rui Costa somehow finds Nuno Gomes unmarked on the edge of the box. Adams tries to get back but Gomes is too quick for him and the onrushing Seaman and coolly flicks Portugal in front.
England 2-3 Portugal

Abel Xavier defiant in defence

66 mins: The lively Gomes gets away from Campbell but this time fires a long-range shot wide.

68 mins: England pour forward in search of an equaliser. Beckham whips in a super cross but the Portuguese are defending stoutly. Scholes' strong drive is blocked and Baia comes out to claim yet another dangerous centre.

73 mins: Another captivating Portugal move ends with Gomes diverting home Luis Figo's cross. However, the offside flag saves England... this time anyway.

78 mins: Adams misses the ball when well placed to shoot but Scholes nods the ball on to Shearer who just fails to touch it past Baia.

80 mins: Luis Figo conjures up a delightful chip that has Seaman backpedalling. He doesn't get there, but the ball curls inches past the post.

81 mins: Martin Keown replaces Tony Adams, another apparent injury victim.

86 mins: Shearer gets free on the left but has little support and sends an aimless cross out of play.

90 mins: Baia is yellow carded for time wasting.

93 mins: The final whistle blows and England are left to rue defensive howlers that enabled a fluent Portuguese outfit to storm back and claim victory in Eindhoven.

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England: Seaman, G. Neville, Adams (Keown 82), Campbell, P. Neville, Beckham, Scholes, Ince, McManaman (Wise 59), Shearer, Owen (Heskey 46).

Portugal: Baia, Costa, Vidigal, Couto, Figo, Pinto (Conceicao 75), Rui Costa (Beto 85), Dimas, Xavier, Bento, Gomes (Capucho 90).