Not having Cristiano Ronaldo on your side is a huge handicap that Portugal managed to endure against a potentially demolishing England. The Portuguese side deserves a lot of credit for being able to take a lot of offensive approaches and only netting a single goal even after Bruno Alves was sent off for that kick to Harry Kane's face in the first half. According to centre back Fonte, Portugal played a decent match and when they get Ronaldo back they will be very competitive.
Talking to ITV, Fonte said: "It's disappointing. It was tough to play against 11 when we were one man down with the quality that England have. But we take the positives. I thought we defended well - compact. They didn't create many, many chances in the second half. We actually had two good chances to nick a goal. We're disappointed but we will take the positives and come out of this stronger."
"I regard England as one of good champions, obviously. When you look at the front five that they have, you look at the young talent that they have. They have players with the experience of Rooney so you have to look to England and expect something good from them. They have a lot of quality but there are other teams as well. It will be interesting, it will be a good Euro, but England definitely have the quality to go far."
Photo credit: Portugal