England 0-0 Portugal: Lionesses are held in their final World Cup warm-up match

If Sarina Wiegman was hoping to have a clearer picture of her starting XI for England’s first World Cup game, this send-off match with Portugal left her with more questions than answers.

That the Lionesses were held to a 0-0 draw by a side ranked 17 places below them should not provoke panic, but there is a slight cause for concern that they have now gone back-to-back games without scoring.

After a mediocre first half, there were chances aplenty after the break yet England were unable to convert any of them. Perhaps on another day this would have ended in a comfortable victory and nobody would have batted an eyelid. 

But given this result comes after April’s 2-1 defeat by Australia, the first under Wiegman, it is only natural to feel slightly unnerved.

Much like they did in their warm-up games for last summer’s Euros, England started slowly before growing into the second half. The only difference here was that they failed to go on to win.

England couldn’t break the deadlock in their goalless draw with Portugal at Stadium MK

England manager Sarina Wiegman (middle) studiously watched on as her side tried to break down Portugal’s defence 

Georgia Stanway (left) was involved in a tough midfield battle against Portugal’s Francisca Nazareth (right)

Portugal employed tactics that England’s group opponents will no doubt utilise – a low block coupled with time-wasting and cheap fouls. This was not the first time the Lionesses have struggled to combat that approach but Wiegman must find a solution before their World Cup opener with Haiti on July 22.

Wiegman had some key selection dilemmas going into this fixture but none was greater than the decision of who to start up front – Alessia Russo or Rachel Daly. She went with the latter. It is hard to ignore Daly’s form for Aston Villa last season. 

She won the Women’s Super League golden boot with 22 goals in 22 games and Russo showed during the Euros how dangerous she can be as an impact sub.

Daly nearly repaid Wiegman’s faith five minutes in, meeting Lauren Hemp’s cross to force Ines Pereira into a fine one-handed save.

Millie Bright, who will captain England at the World Cup in the absence of injured Leah Williamson, was forced to watch on from the dug-out as she continues to work her way back to full fitness. But apart from the odd long ball over the top that threatened to catch out centre backs Jess Carter and Esme Morgan, England looked relatively comfortable at the back.

It was in attack where they struggled. The next chance did not come until just before the break, Georgia Stanway hitting the bar with a volley from just inside the box.

Alessia Russo has shown before how dangerous she can be in front of goal but failed to score against Portugal

The Lionesses will now finalise their plans before departing for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

Wiegman turned to her Euros ‘super subs’ Russo and Chloe Kelly at half-time, with Daly and Ella Toone taken off as Lauren James moved into the No 10 role. 

The changes seemed to give England a new lease of life and three quick-fire chances should have seen them take the lead on the hour mark.

First, Russo latched on to a through ball from Lauren James, rounded Pereira and sent the ball goalwards – but Ana Borges got back to make a fantastic goal-line clearance. Lucy Bronze then hit the post with a header from the resulting corner before Russo fired a Kelly cut-back inches wide.

England fly to Australia on Wednesday and will play Canada behind closed doors in what will be their final fixture before the World Cup starts. It is hoped Wiegman’s players remember to pack their shooting boots.