England out

I almost got it all right. Owen did score and final score 1-1. But then Portugal didn't win in Extra Time. But England did lost the game.

Owen scored a great goal. Great performance!!! Unfortunately it's too late, but he became the first ever England player that scored in 4 International Tournaments.

Gerrard was so-so. The defensive mind for England team did not suit him. Was subsituted in 2H which I think is a wrong move which lead to the subsequent lost. Should substitute Lampard instead when you are defending.

James was OK. Can't be fault for both goals. Otherwise very solid.

Carra and Heskey, as usual, didn't play. Poor Carra.

For the game I think England lost due to the early goal, that give Portugal lots of chance to equalize, especially after Rooney injured Owen is more or less on his own in the front and 10 other players defending. I think they out-processed by Portugal by 35-65 in normal time.

Eriksson's substitution strategy is worth discussing too. When 1 up and Rooney injured and you are going to defend for the rest of the game, why do you play Vassell? You should play another midfielder! And, late in 2H, when you are almost success in defending for the whole game, you should not subsitute Gerrard, who should be a better defensive player than Lampard. Even though Lampard did score the equalizer, but if Gerrard is on the pitch Portugal may not equalize and the game will finish in normal time.

So, looks like Portual will be in the final no matter who the opponents are. But they will probably lose out to Czech Republic or France.

And now we are back to the fight for Gerrard to stay.