Portugal 1 England 2: Nikita Parris nips in for winner as Lionesses make history with perfect record in Women’s European Championship group


NIKITA PARRIS gave England a date with France as the Lionesses roared through to the Euro 2017 quarter-finals.

The Manchester City striker grabbed the second-half winner after Toni Duggan’s early opener to ensure England finished top of Group D in Tilburg, Holland.

Nikita Parris cannot restrain her delight as she puts England 2-1 up in their final group game
Nikita Parris can’t restrain her delight as she hits the England winner v Portugal
PA:Press Association
Nikita Parris squeezes through to put England back in front against the outsiders
Nikita Parris squeezes through to put England back in front against the outsiders
PA:Press Association

New Barcelona signing Duggan got the opener in the seventh minute when she picked up a fluffed clearance outside the area and chipped over the Portugal keeper.

England conceded their first goal of the tournament when Carolina Mendes levelled six minutes later with a tap-in.

But Mark Sampson’s side were quick off the mark again after the break when Parris struck on 47 minutes, running onto an Izzy Christiansen pass to slot under the keeper.

Dolores Silva hit a free-kick a yard wide of the England post in the 70th minute and Siobhan Chamberlain had to make a save in the England goal in the last minute.

But the Lionesses held on to make it three wins from three after a 6-0 drubbing of Scotland and a 2-0 victory over Spain.

Scotland beat Spain 1-0 but could not find the second goal they needed to go through, with the Spaniards taking second spot.

Toni Duggan celebrates her early opener for England against Portugal in the European Championships
Toni Duggan celebrates her early opener for England against Portugal in the third of their three European Championships’ group wins
Rex Features
England see Toni Duggan make a seventh-minute breakthrough against Portugal
England see Toni Duggan make a seventh-minute breakthrough against Portugal
AFP or licensors

England now face an underperforming French side in their last-eight clash in Deventer on Sunday.

Duggan said: “I’m glad to get on the score sheet and for the team to get the win. The keeper made a mistake and I thought I’m going to go for this early. I thought I’d missed but thankfully it went in.

“Portugal put everything they can at us but we regrouped at half-time and came out and Nikita got the goal.

“As a striking unit we’ve been doing a lot of work on finishing and we’re scoring when it matters.

England's Karen Carney takes on Portugal star Dolores Silva during the first half in Tilburg
Karen Carney evades Portugal’s Dolores Silva during the first half in Tilburg
Rex Features
Portugal mob Carolina Mendes after her equaliser against England
Portugal mob Carolina Mendes after her 17th minute equaliser
Rex Features

“The most important thing is the team qualifying. It was a tough night but the girls got stuck in and made sure we got three wins from three and in the end we deserved the result.

“We know how good France are but with the form we’re in I don’t think they will want to play us. It’s going to be a big game and one we’re looking forward to.”

Scotland captain Gemma Fay said: “I think a lot of people had written us off today but you should never write off a team that wears this badge. It’s a class team and we absolutely fought.

“We were inches off the two goals we needed. I’m so proud of being Scottish.”

England struggled to settle during a scrappy contest against Portugal
England struggled to settle during a scrappy opening half against Portugal
PA:Press Association
Jermaine Jenas is sprayed by sprinklers as Clare Balding interviews him on the pitch during England Women's Euro 2017 coverage

Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog



Leave a comment