Afonso Moreira’s first-half strike was enough to give Portugal U21s a 1-0 friendly win over England at Ashton Gate.
Lee Carsley’s side have now suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since March 2021 following their loss to the Republic of Ireland in their final European Championship qualifier in October.
England’s preparations for next year’s tournament did not get off to an ideal start as Bayer Leverkusen striker Moreira put the visitors ahead on the break.
Portugal’s lead continued into the second half and the hosts had to rely on a string of Tommy Setford saves to keep them in the contest, but the Arsenal keeper could not stop them falling to defeat.
Neither side did anything to hurt their opponents during the first quarter of an hour, with England’s only real sight of goal when Divin Mubama tried to catch Joao Carvalho off his line but shot wide.
Portugal forced Setford into action with the first shot on goal of the match when Mezian Mesloub cut in and fired home a low effort.
The visitors were beginning to get on top and they had their goal on 38 minutes when Moreira fired low on goal with a shot that squeezed under Setford and cleared the line.
England were nowhere near their best and Portugal threatened once more just before half-time when Mesloub crashed into the side-netting from close range.
Arsenal star Max Dowman came off the bench with about half an hour left to make his U21 debut.
Setford were getting busier as the game wore on and he adjusted his body magnificently to keep Gustavo Sa’s effort wide.
England finally warmed to the game in the 75th minute when Mikey Moore shot at Carvalho.
The hosts enjoyed their best spell of pressure in the final 10 minutes as they looked for an equalizer but could not find a way through despite efforts from Divine Mukasa, Moore and Stephen Mfuni.