As the Portugal goalkeeper Patrícia Morais watched Alex Greenwood’s cross drop out of her hands and fall two yards out from goal, Beth Mead could hardly have dreamt of an easier way to puncture the growing negativity surrounding the England side. Her finish into an empty net gave England just enough impetus to beat a side 26 places below them in the Fifa rankings and end a run of five matches without a win. “The players were determined and we probably got the luck we haven’t got in those past five games,” Phil Neville, the England manager, said. “You earn your luck and the performances over the last two games have been outstanding. It has been my most enjoyable camp since I have been manager.”

Source: The Times October 08, 2019 23:01 UTC