England through to quarters as Lionesses sink Portugal 2-1

England asserted themselves as championship contenders yet again on Thursday, as a second-string side battled past Portugal to clinch Group D and set up an enticing quarter-final with France.

Mark Sampson made 10 changes to the team which forced its way past Spain on Sunday with only Millie Bright keeping her place. Though in the first instance it barely mattered, with Toni Duggan chipping home superbly after Patricia Morais bungled a clearance against her calves.

Portugal, though, battled back into the game with Diana Silva proving a particular handful for England's back-four. And it was she who created the equaliser on 17 minutes, running onto a superb reverse-pass from Claudia Neto and picking out a cross at the second time of asking; Monica Mendes forced home.

England played without conviction or intensity, but improved after half-time, and within three minutes of the restart Nikita Parris tucked home what proved to be the winning goal.

Thereafter Portugal simply could not recapture their momentum, creating just one opportunity to score the equaliser which would have snatched second spot from Spain, and that in injury-time; Laura Luis controlled a difficult volley well, but could only pick out Siobhan Chamberlain in the England goal.

England move on, to a last-eight tie against a team which has beaten them in the last three major tournaments.

Was Mark Sampson right to change his team? The momentum England have carefully built was in grave danger in the first half; they lacked cohesion and conviction, while Portugal played like a side familiar with one another. But they managed to up the intensity in the second half, getting the win which reminds their rivals just how strong they are, and just how many options they have.

Diana Silva (Portugal) Quick and lithe, her movement and agility was a constant nause to England's defenders as she roamed across the line and into spaces. A potential star.

Portugal: Morais 5, Borges 7, Costa 6, Rebelo 5, Silva 6, Antunes 6, Pinto 6, Pires 5, Mendes 7, Neto 6, Silva 8. Subs: Leite 6, Da Costa 6, Luis 6.

England: Chamberlain 6, Scott 6, Bassett 6, Bright 6, Greenwood 6, Williams 5, Potter 5, Carney 5, Duggan 6, Christiansen 5, Parris 6. Subs: Nobbs 6, Stokes 6.

5’ - GOAL! Portugal 0-1 England (Duggan) Oh dear! Oh yes! With time to do whatever, Morais clumps a clearance into Duggan's calves and the ball sits nicely in her path. But even so, the chip she stubs into the net is beautiful; that's a lovely finish. Morais looks like she might cry.

17’ - GOAL! Portugal 1-1 England (Mendes) Neto moves inside, then with the outside of her right boot, glides a brilliant reverse pass into the path of Silva. Her first low cross is kicked away by Bassett, but straight back to her, and is immediately drilled across to Mendes who forces home at the back post.

22’ - Mendes feeds Silva out on the right, who takes a touch and guides back a superb cross; Mendes is inches away from applying brow to ball.

48’ - GOAL! Portugal 1-2 England (Parris) And doesn't she enjoy it, still going buts 30 seconds later. Anyway, Duggan flicks on to her, she bundles through challenges from Costa then Rebelo and injects a spurt to reach the ball in time to bang under Morais. She took that really, really well.

70’ - Silva gets the ball up and over the wall, but curls it wide of the left-hand post. That looked a lot closer than it was.

90+2’ - Stokes gives away a free-kick just inside the England half; Morais wants to go forward, and for some reason the coach vetoes her. The ball is pumped into the box and almost falls for Silva, who then crosses into the box ... and the ball is dropping to Luis! She makes good connection with a volley at hip-height! But picks out Chamberlain!