The Young Lions made a winning return to the Technique Stadium after beating Portugal U19s 2-0 thanks to a Dan Scarlett brace.
The Spurs striker got both the goals as England celebrated their qualification for the 2022 U19 European Championships.
The Three Lions manufactured an early chance when Harvey Vale played a ball through to Arron Ramsey; unfortunately, the midfielder failed to place his effort on-target.
However, an opening goal was not far behind. In the tenth minute, Brook Norton-Cuffy’s low cross was met by Tottenham’s Dane Scarlett, who poked the ball beyond Andre Gomes in the Portugal goal.
Scarlett’s club team-mate Alfie Devine was determined to also get on his scoresheet and came close when his low effort was well-saved by Gomes.
The midfielder continued to hunt for that goal and saw his 25-yard free-kick whistle just past the post before stabbing wide from close-range a few minutes later.
He did win a penalty five minutes before the break when he was brought down after breaking through on goal. Scarlett assumed the responsibility of the spot-kick and placed the ball into the bottom left corner.
Both sides made changes during the half time break with Devine coming off for England, as James Balagizi took his place.
The closest that the visitors came was when Diogo Travassos broke down the right-hand side; his cross was deflected towards goal, but Matthew Cox claimed the ball.
Portugal looked to find a way back into the game after the break; Matchoi Djalo’s free-kick resulted in a simple save from Matthew Cox.
England’s mission was simple as they aimed to put the game beyond doubt, and they came close to that when Aaron Ramsey’s close-range effort bobbled wide of the goal.
The visitors somehow didn’t half the score in the 66th minute. Djalo’s free-kick was deflected to the back post where Chico Lamba put the ball over from all of a couple of yards.
The rest of the second half didn’t produce much in the way of chances and the full time whistle brough scenes of joy for the Young Lions as they celebrated their qualification for the U19 European Championships.
Young Lions: Matthew Cox; Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Daniel Oyegoke 71), Jarell Quansah, Bashir Humphreys, Callum Doyle; Carney Cuckwuemeka (James Norris 89), Timothy Iroegbunam; Alfie Devine (James Balagizi 46), Aaron Ramsey (Xavier Simons 74), Harvey Vale ©; Dane Scarlett(Daniel Jebbison 74).
Unused Substitutes: Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Samuel Edozie.
