Summary

  • England 0-0 Portugal - wasteful hosts held to draw in World Cup send-off in Milton Keynes

  • Daly and sub Russo both have efforts saved while Bronze and Stanway hit woodwork

  • England have one behind-closed-doors friendly in Australia before World Cup

  • Their World Cup campaign starts on 22 July v Haiti in Brisbane

  1. 'Not to be taken lightly'published at 14:54 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Jen O'Neill
    editor of She Kicks magazine on BBC World Service

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Experience will be key for Portugal at the World Cup. Jessica Silva and Tatiana Pinto have each reached 100 caps recently. They have Ana Borges, Carole Costa and Dolores Silva who are each around the 150-cap mark.

    Portugal also have exciting young players like speedy forward Kika Nazareth.

    They were entertainers at Euro 2022. They were only admitted late because of Russia's exclusion and they played with freedom.

    I don't think they are to be taken lightly at the World Cup and they could nick a point against the Netherlands. But it's not going to enough to get them into the knockout phase.

  2. 'Every team is dealing with injuries'published at 14:52 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Almost every single squad across the entire field of the World Cup has one or two significant injuries to the normal starting XI that we would expect to see but regardless, England still have a very good squad.

    People might counter with saying there isn't much experience but these young players have really thrived in arguably one of the best leagues in the world but also at the young age groups too. There is no shortage of tactical and technical ability.

    There will be characters who will be missed, like Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, who were brilliant at the Euros, but there are talented players ready to step in.

  3. Will Bright make first World Cup game?published at 14:50 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Media caption,

    Women's World Cup: Five things to know about England's world cup squad

    Captain Millie Bright is again missing with a knee injury but she remains "really confident" of being available for the opening game of the tournament against Haiti.

    "I've just been training individually, ticking the boxes to prepare me for when I can return to the team," said the Lionesses defender, who has not played competitively since March.

    "I think we are a little bit ahead. But there's a big chunk of time before the first game [of the World Cup] so we are really confident and everything is going exactly the way we want it to go."

    Read more here.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Who should start up top for the Lionesses in Australia?

    Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly and Beth England are all vying for a place in Sarina Wiegman's starting XI.

    Let us know your thoughts via the methods above.

    England striker Alessia RussoImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'A hard decision to leave out Russo'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    England

    .Image source, Rex Features

    England manager Sarina Wiegman, speaking to ITV before the Lionesses' clash with Portugal about her decision to start Rachel Daly instead of Alessia Russo: "That was, first of all, a hard decision but she has done so well during the competition. She is in a really good place but as you know, we have other options in that positions."

    Can she start at the World Cup? "I think she could be but I also think Alessia could be. We have one game to go."

    What are you hoping to see today? "I hope to see in the full backline that there is lot of partnership and up front. We want to keep the ball and go forward quickly and we don't want to concede goals. We have practised some things that I hope to see today."

    On starting Lauren James: "We have Robinson, Hemp , Kelly and James so they are all really close. We can make a tactical choice so no decision [on who will start at the World Cup] yet."

  6. Lionesses building MK fanbasepublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stadium MK

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    The Lionesses have built a strong fanbase here in Milton Keynes after playing here during the Arnold Clark Cup.

    The stadium was also one of the hosts for Euro 2022 so fans nearby have been treated to plenty of women's football in the past 12 months.

    There were stewards and signs showing the way to the stadium from the train station, as well as shuttle buses provided to take supporters.

    It's been well organised and by the time I arrived at midday there was already a decent crowd waiting to welcome the England bus.

    The only problem Sarina Wiegman had last time England played here was the pitch conditions but it has since been relayed and it looks in decent shape.

    .Image source, BBC Sport
  7. 'Credit to Beth England'published at 14:41 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Ian Wright
    Former England striker on ITV

    I'd put Maya Le Tissier as one of the players of the season so for her to not make it I think that was really disappointing for her.

    I think [Beth England] has got to take a lot of credit for making that move to Tottenham.

    She's staving off relegation, with all due respect to her, and has a different mindset.

  8. Staniforth skips Ibiza holidaypublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport reporter at Stadium MK

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth has swapped a holiday with her mum in Ibiza to help England prepare for the Women's World Cup after receiving a late call-up to the standby list.

    She replaced injured Manchester City forward Jess Park, 21, on Monday evening and joins defender Maya le Tissier as England's back-up options.

    "I was supposed to go to Ibiza with mum on Monday which is obviously very unfortunate," said Staniforth.

    "She will still go on her own. If anyone sees someone on their own in Ibiza, she's looking for a bit of company!"

  9. Ronaldo praises Portugal on first World Cuppublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Portugal

    Portugal's presence at their first Women's World Cup has earned the team praise from national hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

    "Congratulations on this historic clearance. Let's go," Ronaldo wrote on Twitter, external after Carole Costa's dramatic 94th-minute winner from the penalty spot against Cameroon booked Portugal's place at the tournament.

    At the men's World Cup in Qatar last November, Ronaldo joined Brazil's Marta and Canada's Christine Sinclair in scoring at five different World Cups.

    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
  10. 'A step in the right direction'published at 14:35 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Karen Bardsley
    Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think the Lionesses have made clear that they support the LGBTQ+ community and they support several other things.

    They write to the government about trying to get equal access at schools for girls and that's something that has happened. For me, we know what the Lionesses stand for. They know what the Lionesses stand for.

    Whatever they wear, everyone knows what they want to see. They want to see as much inclusion and diversity as possible. In one way, it's a shame that FIFA can't just let them wear what they want to wear but at the same time, the fact that we've moved away from a complete ban of any sort of social movement, is a step in the right direction.

    It's a big platform and you want to make an impact for the things that you believe in.

  11. Fifa to highlight social issues at World Cuppublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    England's players will not be allowed to wear the OneLove armband in matches at the World Cup this summer but will be able to wear bands supporting other causes.

    Fifa has announced plans to highlight a number of social issues and causes throughout the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

    They range from gender equality to tackling domestic violence.

  12. Listen on 5 Livepublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    You can listen to live commentary from Stadium MK in Milton Keynes on BBC Radio 5 Live. Build-up with Juliette Ferrington starts at 14:45.

    Joining commentator Vicki Sparks is former England keeper Karen Bardsley and ex-England defender Gilly Flaherty.

    .Image source, .
  13. 'Send them off with a win'published at 14:29 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I just want to see an England side that's free, enjoying it, with a smile on their face.

    I think it's just for them to get some rhythm, confidence and momentum going into the tournament.

    These fans are here to send them off so if we can get some goals, get some confidence and really send them off with a bang to Australia, it will be great.

    England fansImage source, Getty Images
  14. World Cup debutantspublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Portugal

    .Image source, Rex Features

    Like the Lionesses, Portugal are also heading to the World Cup.

    Francisco Neto's side will be one of eight nations experiencing the tournament for the very first time.

    Portugal will be based in New Zealand in a tough group featuring both finalists from the previous World Cup - the United States and the Netherlands.

    "Maybe nine years ago [when Neto was appointed] many people didn't believe we could achieve our goals, but now we have," said the Portugal boss.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    England's World Cup qualifying campaign started all the way back in September 2021 with the 8-0 hammering of North Macedonia at Southampton.

    Since then the Lionesses have won Euro 2022 and head for Australia ranked number four in the world.

    Will they go all the way? Hit me with your thoughts.

  16. Fans give Lionesses send-off messagespublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stadium MK

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    Fans were signing a giant flag outside Stadium MK with messages of good luck to the Lionesses before they fly out to Australia.

    It was nice reading through some of them and seeing fans from across the country representing their grassroots clubs.

    Among some of the messages were the words "it's coming home" from Charlie.

    .Image source, BBC Sport
  17. 'This could be our World Cup starting XI'published at 14:20 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Ellen White
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I'm so excited for this tournament. I can sit back, eat some crisps, and have the time of my life. It's a young group, with a lot of players going that it's their first tournament but there's great blend there so I'm excited.

    I think the numbers of the selection of the shirts is a big indication to me of the numbers that will be given going into the World Cup. I think this could potentially be the starting XI.

    People need to get minutes but I think this could be the starting XI for England.

  18. Team news - Daly starts up front & James over Kellypublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stadium MK

    Sarina Wiegman has made three changes to the England starting XI that lost to Australia in their last match but the big news is that Rachel Daly starts up front ahead of Alessia Russo.

    The other big decision sees Lauren James start in attack, with Chloe Kelly on the bench.

    Centre-back Millie Bright has not yet recovered fully from the knee injury which has kept her out since March so she is not in the squad.

    Manchester City's Esme Morgan seems to be taking up Bright's spot, while Chelsea's Jess Carter is likely to start at left-back.

    Goalkeeper Mary Earps has the captain's armband in the absence of Leah Williamson and Bright.

    England XI: Earps, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, James, Stanway, Daly, Toone, Hemp, Morgan, Carter.

    Subs: Roebuck, Hampton, Charles, Wubben-Moy, Coombs, Kelly, England, Zelem, Robinson, Russo, Le Tissier.

    Portugal XI: Pereira, Amado, Norton, Borges, J Silva, T Pinto, Dolores Silva, C Costa, Diana Silva, Gomes, Nazareth.

    Subs: Morais, R Costa, Alves, Rebelo, Marchao, Jacinto, Rute, F Pinto, Seica, Mendes, Capeta, Encarnacao, Correia.

  19. Countdown to Women's World Cuppublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    England v Portugal (15:15 BST)

    .Image source, Rex Features

    Hello! The greatest players on the planet are getting ready to showcase their skills in what promises to be a spectacular month-long festival of women's football.

    The biggest women's sporting event on earth takes place in Australia and New Zealand, with the first matches on 20 July.

    But what will England's starting XI look like when they get their campaign under way against Haiti in Brisbane on 24 July?

    This afternoon may offer up some clues...

  20. Next stop...Australiapublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 1 July 2023

    With the 2023 Women's World Cup just 19 days away, England are saying their farewells in front of thousands of fans at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.

    Next stop for Sarina Wiegman and her Lionesses is Australia as they look to add the world title to the European crown they won last summer.

    Will they provide a winning send-off their fans crave?

    .Image source, Reuters
    .Image source, PA Media
    .Image source, Getty Images