England Women got back to winning ways when Beth Mead profited from a poor piece of judgement from the Portugal goalkeeper.
Beth England tested Patricia Morais with a powerful header moments after kick off in Setubal and a Mead cross-shot just flew past the far post.
Lucy Bronze was denied a penalty after a challenge by Monica Mendes and seconds before the break Beth England’s cross saw Mendes clear off the line.
The game followed a similar pattern in the second half, with Portugal disrupting England’s rhythm and looking to restrict chances to long range efforts and crosses from deep.
Morais somehow thwarted Jodie Taylor and Mendes prevented Jordan Nobbs netting the follow up.
But with 18 minutes left, Morais let Alex Greenwood’s cross slip through her hands, leaving Mead a simple tap-in.
Nikita Parris headed a good chance into the side netting, which was where an effort from deutant Lauren hemp also ended up.
The hosts so nearly levelled in added time when Claudia Neto’s free-kick bounced down off the bar and Ellie Roebuck somehow managed to prevent the ball going in off her back.
England: 21 Ellie Roebuck, 2 Lucy Bronze, 3 Alex Greenwood, 4 Keira Walsh, 5 Steph Houghton, 6 Leah Williamson, 7 Nikita Parris, 8 Lucy Staniforth, 11 Beth Mead, 12 Rachel Daly, 18 Beth England
Substitutes: 10 Jordan Nobbs for Daly 65, 9 Jodie Taylor for England 65, 17 Melissa Lawley for Staniforth 80, 20 Lauren Hemp for Mead 86
Substitutes not used: 1 Carly Telford, 13 Mary Earps, 15 Aoife Mannion, 16 Gemma Bonner
