Sturridge sinks Portugal and keeps England alive

Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal as England eliminated Portugal and moved to within two points of Group 9 leaders Greece.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship finalists in 2009, England travelled to Barcelos needing a victory to stand a chance of winning the section. They did just that as the Chelsea FC striker chipped in the only goal, although Greece only need a point in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Saturday to seal top spot ahead of England's concluding game against Lithuania on Tuesday.

Tom Cleverley was the architect of England's goal. The midfielder collected possession after it had been lost by André Santos and threaded a pass through the home defence to Sturridge, who flicked the ball over Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patrício.

Danny Rose and Bebé, the Portugal striker who recently moved to Manchester United FC, then traded shots on goal but the better chances went the way of Stuart Pearce's visitors – Sturridge and substitute Nathan Delfouneso missing the easiest of them late on.