A very evenly contested first half. England settled more quickly into the game but after 15 minutes Portugal started to establish their passing game. It looks as if Maniche is playing the Deco role for Portugal. England seems to be attacking with a bit more conviction while Portugal appears to be taking a more patient route.

Weak spots - Valente looks to be very suspect but the problem is that when Neville goes forward to attack and there is a turnover in possession Portugal plays it into the space and causes England problems.

Hargreaves is giving England a solid look but Gerrard and Lampard are still not forward far enough to support Rooney.

You have to wonder how long Figo can go in this one. He’s played a lot of football in the last three weeks. Pauleta has hardly kicked the ball while Ronaldo when he cuts inside on Neville is probably Portugal’s biggest threat.

“Blether” is a slang word that is used in parts of Scotland and people who “blether” are called “bletherers”. To “blether” means you talk for the sake of talking. Marcelo Balboa is without a doubt a bletherer.

“England is lucky to have a young man on the bench like Sol Campbell, of course he’s not so young anymore” was my favourite this half.

“These countries have past history” wasn’t bad either.

But it is disturbing when you have a former World Cup player who can’t tell the difference between a dive and embellishment. A push by Tiago on Cole was not a dive it was embellishment but still a foul.