Alessia Russo's early strike couldn't set the European champions on their way to victory on Friday night, with questions to be asked of the coach.

When Alessia Russo broke the deadlock just 15 minutes into England's opening game of the new Women's Nations League campaign, it looked like the Lionesses might ease their way past a potentially tricky opponent. Unfortunately for Sarina Wiegman and her side, it would not turn out to be as straight-forward as that, with Portugal boss Francisco Neto getting his game plan spot on to allow Kika Nazareth to grab a well-earned point in a 1-1 draw with the European champions on Friday night.

England's first half was really positive. Lucy Bronze's fantastic cross was clinically converted by Russo to put them 1-0 up, with Lauren James and Grace Clinton in particular catching the eye in a sharp opening 45 minutes. However, though the former fired a few warning shots throughout the game, and Clinton had a huge claim for a penalty turned down just before half time, the Lionesses didn't create too many clear cut chances to turn their dominance into a greater lead. That was one thing they were made to pay for in the end.

The other was on Wiegman's end, with her not reacting to the game quickly enough with her substitutions. While Neto timed things perfectly, ensuring his team stayed in the match for the first hour before opting to change shape and introduce three positive subs, Kika among them, Wiegman waited until the 84th minute to bring on Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones – almost 10 minutes after Portugal's equaliser had flown into Mary Earps' top corner.

The result of such hesitation was a disappointing point, though they could well have left the Algarve empty-handed, even, such was the momentum their hosts had after levelling the scores. Still, the Lionesses will have to improve before their second game of this new Nations League campaign, with world champions Spain coming to town on Wednesday.

GOAL rates England's players from Estadio Municipal de Portimao…

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Mary Earps (6/10):

Held a good starting position to deal with Portugal's threat over the top. Had very little to actually do when it came to shot-stopping and couldn't do anything about the goal.

Lucy Bronze (6/10):

A wonderful cross for Russo's opener was the highlight of a fantastic first half up and down the right. Replaced by Carter at the break and her absence negatively impacted the team.

Leah Williamson (4/10):

Made a poor decision to follow the ball into a midfield area and didn't win it, thus opening the space up for Kika to attack and score Portugal's equaliser. Did make two big blocks to make amends somewhat in the late stages.

Millie Bright (5/10):

Kept the ball well but struggled to win many of her duels.

Niamh Charles (6/10):

Solid all-round display on her first England appearance since July. A welcome return to the fold in a position of weakness.

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Keira Walsh (5/10):

Kept the ball well and showed good movement to support the attack, though struggled to win tackles out of possession.

Grace Clinton (6/10):

Some heavy touches here and there but generally a bright display, although she didn't do enough to thwart Kika for the goal.

Ella Toone (5/10):

Had some really nice moments linking up with the players around her in the first half, but faded in the second.

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Jess Park (6/10):

Grew into the game in the second half especially, when the impetus was really on her to provide the width on the right after Bronze went off. Was a real bright spark.

Alessia Russo (7/10):

A superb finish to break the deadlock. Worked hard and showed good movement to keep Portugal on their toes.

Lauren James (7/10):

Did well to regularly evade her markers and make her mark. Played a lovely ball over to Bronze in the build-up to the first goal and was often England's greatest goal-threat.

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Jess Carter (6/10):

Replaced Bronze at half time and settled well at right-back, though often in a conservative manner given it's not her best position.

Chloe Kelly (N/A):

Had just six minutes of normal time to make an impact in the end.

Aggie Beever-Jones (N/A):

Introduced at the same time as Kelly and wasn't going to change the course of the game in that period.

Sarina Wiegman (4/10):

Took far too long to react to Portugal's changes and improved performance, with the eventual equaliser not at all a surprise. Had plenty of the bench to turn to as well, but just did so too late to ensure victory.