Araya Dennis’ England Under-19s suffered defeat to Portugal in their second group game of the UEFA Under-19 European Championship.
The young forward was a late second half substitute for the Young Lionesses, introduced with just seven minutes left on the clock, as Portugal scored four goals in the final quarter of the game to secure a 4-1 win and earn their first points in Group B.
An own goal from Iara Lobo on the stroke of half time gave England the lead and they looked on course to record their second win in the tournament, but three goals in six minutes – Carolina Santiago, Anna Marques and Marta Gago all on target – turned the game completely into Portugal’s favour before Santiago wrapped up the win for her nation in the final minute of normal time.
England’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the opening game, where Araya was an unused substitute for that fixture, leaves qualification very much in Lauren Smith’s side hands, with a win in their final group game guaranteeing them a spot in the knockout stage.
They will face the competition’s holders Spain on Saturday (6pm UK) while Portugal will take on the Netherlands.