While Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was rested following his
involvement in Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over
Atletico Madrid last weekend, England manager Roy Hodgson was
effectively able to name a full-strength line-up.
But with his
side’s Group B opener against Russia in Marseille just nine days away,
it took Smalling’s first international goal to secure victory after the
hosts had toiled badly despite playing against 10 men following the
35th-minute dismissal of Alves, who struck Kane in the face with his
boot in a wild head-high challenge.
Kane said: “I’ve got a few scratches on my head and shoulder, but at least I’m still here. I’ve got away with one there.”
“Alves
apologized to the group after the match,” coach Fernando Santos said
through a translator. “It was a strong tackle but it’s not going to
happen again. ”
Having previously beaten Turkey and Australia, England managed to
prevail in all three of their pre-tournament friendlies but they will
travel to France on Monday accompanied by more doubts than certainties.
“We
are winning games when we are not playing well,” England captain Wayne
Rooney said. “In tournament football you have to improve to win games.”
Hodgson
said: “I’m not prepared to stand here and criticise some players. If I
start being dissatisfied with three wins against Australia, Turkey and
Portugal, I’m going to be a hard coach to satisfy.”
There was
little for Portugal’s fans to cheer on a chilly night in west London as
their team lost to England for the first time in six games, but coach
Fernando Santos will have Ronaldo back in his ranks for their final
warm-up match against Estonia in Lisbon on June 8.
“Today was a difficult match,” said Santos. “It was a friendly and we
had 10 men. It’s always difficult with 10 men, especially against
England and in this atmosphere.
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