Summary

  • England set for exit after two straight defeats

  • England in group D with Croatia, Portugal and Switzerland

  • Format is split in two with group stage and knockout phase held separately

  • Group stage takes place 24-31 March

  • Group winners and runners-up advance to eight-team knockout phase 31 May-6 June

Live Reporting

Emlyn Begley

  1. KICK-OFF

    Portugal 0-0 England

    The second half begins.

  2. SUBSTITUTION

    Portugal 0-0 England

    England bring on Eberechi Eze for Emile Smith Rowe.

    Portugal bring on Barcelona's Francisco Trincao and Daniel Braganca of Sporting. Ex-Spurs man Gedson Fernandes and Florentino Luís are off.

  3. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Re: Paul's comment at 20:51. I don't think even Boothroyd's biggest critics would say he isn't a good motivator. Maybe the problem is more that by age 21 most players who are good enough are already in the main England squad- the U21 level is increasingly becoming a level of also-rans. The players know this. The Portuguese don't seem like they care either.

    James, London

  4. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or 81111 on text

    Paul Carney: Once again Aidy Boothroyd has sent out an unmotivated group of players who seem like strangers to each other...even the Sessignon brothers!

  5. HALF-TIME

    Portugal 0-0 England

    No injury time needed because nothing has happened. As the clock hits 45 the half-time whistle goes.

  6. Portugal 0-0 England

    Twins Ryan and Steven Sessegnon play a series of one-twos on the left. They don't seem to want to share the ball with any of the other boys.

  7. Portugal 0-0 England

    Both sides just keep winning and then losing the ball.

  8. Portugal 0-0 England

    A great surging run from Emile Smith Rowe before he finds debutant Noni Madueke. The PSV man tries to cut onto his other foot and has a shot blocked.

  9. Portugal 0-0 England

    Good defending by Marc Guehi to block Pedro Goncalves' shot after a left-wing cross from Dany Mota.

  10. Portugal 0-0 England

    Only England's second chance as Emile Smith Rowe runs onto a reverse ball but he's almost at the byeline as he reaches it and just pokes it at the onrushing keeper.

  11. Portugal 0-0 England

    From the following corner, Aaron Ramsdale pulls off a good save to keep out a volley from Pedro Goncalves.

  12. Portugal 0-0 England

    Three chances in one for Portugal. There's an air-kick, a long-range shot saved and then a tackle to deny a close-range finish.

  13. Portugal 0-0 England

    England defender Marc Guehi gives the ball away but recovers well to get it back.

  14. Portugal 0-0 England

    England pump a couple of balls into the mixer but England U21 debutant Japhet Tanganga heads wide.

  15. Portugal 0-0 England

    Emile Smith Rowe whips in a fantastic cross for England but it's well cleared.

  16. Portugal 0-0 England

    There's not much in the way of actual action here. Portugal almost have a chance but Dany Mota's first touch is heavy and he's dealt with by an England defender.

  17. Portugal 0-0 England

    It's a lively fake crowd in Slovenia. Plenty of noise from the 'stands'.

  18. Portugal 0-0 England

    Portugal work a corner back to Diogo Dalot, who lets the ball bounce and then hooks a half-volley over the bar from 25 yards.

  19. Portugal 0-0 England

    Ryan Sessegnon rolls a short corner to Emile Smith Rowe. He crosses and Ben Godfrey glances a header out towards the other corner flag.

  20. Portugal 0-0 England

    Eddie Nketiah takes advantage of some poor defending to burst into the box but Diogo Dalot slides in to deny him.