This was the most entertaining game of the tournament so far. The first half was as exhilarating as you are going to get in the international arena, with both sides really going for the throat. England flattered with two early goals from Scholes and McManaman - both delivered from David Beckham, who gave a solid performance. However Portugal always threatened in attack. The play was very reminiscent of Keegan's Newcastle, and as a Mag, this had me worried. The first Portuguese goal was rather fortuitous - I believe it was deflected off Adams to wrong foot Seaman, but it was downhill from this point. 2-0 is a precarious score line in football and 2-1 gives the opposition a lift and opens up doubts in confidence. This was shown to be the case as England's character faltered. A brilliant Portuguese passing movement led to the equaliser although the England defending was practically non-existent. Pinto, the smallest player on the pitch connected with a diving to head home past a very poor Sol Cambell. At half time it was clear that Michael Owen was not up to the job. He created nothing, did not make any creative running and was nowhere to be seen when Shearer who played the target man quite well in the first half laid the ball off. A smoke screen injury replaced Owen with an equally ineffective Heskey for the second half. England dominated the play but another example of poor organisation allowed the Portuguese winner. Adams, (who disappointed in my view and was subsequently replaced by Keown), and Gary Neville allowed the Portuguese forward, (who previously looked like he couldn’t strike a cow’s arse with a banjo), enough space to built a medium sized supermarket – Seaman who also looked less commanding than usual faltered and bang, 3-2 to Portugal. After that it was a game disjointed by Portuguese substitutions, and stoic defending from the team in red. Shearer, who started brightly - faltered, Heskey wasn’t in it. Scholes looked jaded Wise failed to make an impression after coming on for McManaman, (who did produce a good first half display). To be honest England had given up the fight with 15 minutes left on the clock. In summary England should have shut up shop after going two up. The defence didn’t perform and there was a lack of creativity in attack, when we needed the equaliser – the long ball to Shearer was dealt with without fuss in every instance. Is this the end of the road for England? Well on the evidence provided by Germany and Romania there may well be hope, but I think that it is going to take two wins to qualify for the next round. A tall order that may just be beyond the reach of Keegan’s men.

Just my humble observations …

I wish that people before this game against Portugal would relize that England can't win the tournament, because after the Malta performance I was convinced that they have no defence and if they are going to beat Portugal they need to put out the right team.
Meaning:
Martyn in goal!
Gareth Barry in defence over Phil Neville!
Keown in over crap Campbell, because I would think after Campbell's 3 crappy pre-euro games it was quite obvious that Campbell is not the man to have.
What does confident, overpaid, couldn't careless if England go out ( still gets pay check ) Keeegan thinking?

I mean HELLO you got to have the men that perform well in defence, because DEFENCES WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS! Personally I think its to late now for England too, like you said Walton Sw!

My prediction now is Keegan will still put his lame defence out, lose to Germany; then wake up and put the right team out and cream Romania 3-1 or 4-1. That would be a typical England result these days.
KEEGAN you need to put what I think is the best team you could put out against the Germans....................
Martyn
G. Neville
Adams
Keown
Barry
McManaman
Wise
Scholes
Beckham
Owen
Shearer for 1st half.
Heskey, Phillps or Fowler for the 2nd half.

Again just what I think.........

P.S: WALTON SW PLEASE REPLY ABOUT MY Euro League Football Pc Cd questions!