ENGLAND 1, PORTUGAL 0
Chris Smalling gave England a winning, if not lukewarm, send off to the finals of Euro 2016.
A late goal from Manchester United’s central defender, his first at international level, ended a frustrating night on a happy note.
But England, who played against 10 men for 55 minutes, failed to impress as it was far from a convincing display that will scare the living daylights out of their Euro opponents.
And it was a game that posed more questions than ones answered as the limitations of the midfield diamond were brutally exposed.
England badly lacked width in midfield and it was only after Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Jack Wilshere were introduced that they possessed any attacking spark, and then it was limited.
But at least England were able to rely on a goal made in Manchester as City’s Sterling provided the delivery for Smalling’s header.
Manager Roy Hodgson was satisfied with the final workout, but admitted his side remains work in progress.
He said: “I hope we are definitely on the right track going to France and reasonably confident we can keep it going, though we are not the finished article which is good.
“If we had won all three games 4-0 everybody would have been saying we had got to win it. When you are a young team, as we are, it would have been unfair.
It is good we have not sailed through the matches and each has posed problems and shown the areas we need to improve and work on.”
Hodgson added the Bruno Alves’ first half sending off changed the game as did the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, but England could only play against the team put in front of them.
And he was pleased with the patience and composure of his team against a well organised Portuguese defence adding it was tougher playing against 10 men.
England’s line up was very much as expected with a midfield diamond headed by Wayne Rooney who was operating behind Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier was at the base while James Milner and Dele Alli completed it.
And it was very much the expected back four of full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose along with centre backs Smalling and Gary Cahill as Everton’s John Stones was overlooked.
Portugal were captained by former Manchester United player Nani, though Ronaldo was absent as he was photographed in Ibiza relaxing after the final of the Champions League before reporting for Euro finals duty.
Hodgson had hoped Ronaldo would play so his side could test itself against one of the world’s best players in readiness to play Wales when they will be confronted by Gareth Bale, another superstar.
It was a mistaken-ridden opening as both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball, though England were bright.
They created an early chance when Kane slide-rule pass released Rooney who was denied by a super save from Rui Patricio, though it was in vain as Rooney had strayed offside.
Rooney headed straight at Patricio from a Walker cross, but it was an uninspiring opening half hour.
Walker than had a terrific 30-yard drive that flew one yard, though Patricio had it covered.
There was drama after 35 minutes when Alves was sent off for a head-high challenge on Kane that could have almost decapitated him and the right back could have no complaints.
Portugal took off Rafa and replaced him with Jose Fonte as they brought on the Southampton defender to fill the void left by the departure of Alves.
England put together a sweeping move the length of the field that ended with Kane’s low drive flying straight to Patricio.
It was a sign of the boredom of the crowd just before the hour mark that they embarked upon a Mexican Wave – it was ore entertaining than what was on offer on the pitch which was dreadful as England failed to shine against Portugal’s 10 men.
England made a double change midway through the second half when Milner and Vardy were replaced by Wilshere and Sterling.
And there were two further changes after 77 minutes when Rooney and Kane were withdrawn as Adam Lallana and Sturridge were given brief run outs.
And the fit-again Sturridge almost immediately had a chance, but fired narrowly wide.
Portugal had a great chance to take the lead with seven minutes left when substitute Ricardo Quaresma cut in from the left and curled a shot just wide of the far post.
Just when it looked as though the game would end goalless, England conjured an 86th minute winner.
Smalling stayed upfield following a free kick and was on hand to head home a Sterling left-wing cross from eight yards, low to the left of Patricio.
England made their last change in the last minute when Alli was replaced by Jordan Henderson.