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Why Portugal Can Take Positives from Loss to England in Euro 2016 Warm-Up

As everyone plots their way through what might happen at UEFA Euro 2016, there has been a tendency to overlook Portugal’s Group F. Take out Cristiano Ronaldo, and it doesn’t look very glamourous.

Iceland, Austria and Hungary will be the opponents for a country not quite considered among the favourites for glory in France.

Although they lost 1-0 against England in their pre-tournament friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, there was enough in the performance to suggest they should be taken fairly seriously over the next month.

In the match, Bruno Alves’ 35th-minute red card for almost decapitating Harry Kane contributed to a diluted display from a Ronaldo-less visiting side, who held out well against a disjointed England until Chris Smalling headed the winner with just four minutes left.