Chris Smalling sent England to Euro 2016 on the back of another win, but the late header could not mask an underwhelming display against Portugal, last night.

The third and final preparation game was always likely to prove the toughest, but few expected a toothless and disjointed attack to be the main concern against the side eighth in the world.

England’s defence had been the overriding concern ahead of the Wembley encounter, but Roy Hodgson’s inability to effectively shoehorn the attacking triumvirate of Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy into the same line-up was main issue in the 1-0 win against the ten-man Portugal.

Smalling nodded the ball home from substitute Raheem Sterling’s left-wing cross after the visitors failed to adequately clear a free kick by Kyle Walker.

Smalling’s goal was one of few moments for the sell-out Wembley crowd to shout about, with Vardy and Kane struggling to make an impact either side of Rooney as the Three Lions lacked attacking edge.

Even the first-half sending off of Bruno Alves for a horrific high challenge on Kane did little to help on a night punctuated by poor passes and choices.

The struggles of Vardy, Rooney and Kane will dominate much of the post-match conversation.

But at least England head into the Group B opener against Russia on the back of a win courtesy of Smalling’s first international goal.