England Women U-19s draw 2-2 with Portugal | OneFootball

Araya Dennis forced a penalty for England. (Photo by Marko Mumm/Getty Images)

England Women’s U-19s kicked off their Algarve Cup fixtures with a 2-2 draw against tournament hosts Portugal.

Portugal took the lead when England conceded possession just outside their penalty area, Marisa Correia slotting the ball through the legs of Eve Annets.

The Young Lionesses equalised six minutes before the break, when good pressure from Lexi Potter led to another defensive mistake and Georgia Mullett raced through on goal before delicately dinking the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

England were ahead just after the hour mark from a penalty, following a low cross by Araya Dennis which was handballed, Freya Godfrey stepping up to convert into the bottom corner.

But Portugal equalised in the final ten minutes, Ines Simas netting from 12 yards out.

England U-19s next play Sweden on Friday (3pm GMT), before taking on the Netherlands on Monday (1pm).

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