James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor were on target as England's Under 21 side impressed in seeing off Portugal 2-0.
Villa duo on the scoresheet as Pearce's Lions impress
James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor were on target as England's Under 21 side impressed in seeing off Portugal 2-0.
Stuart Pearce's side surged into the play-offs for next year's U21 Championship with an assured display, which saw Milner convert a penalty just before half-time and Agbonlahor demonstrate his impressive pace with a second.
The win ensured England finished convincing winners of Group Three, in a game that saw Aston Villa's Agbonlahor crowned man of the match.
England started slowly though and their early frailty was exposed as soon as the fifth minute when Miguel Veloso whipped in a corner for Adelino Freitas.
Joe Hart scrambled across is line to avert the danger and showed great hand speed to palm the ball to safety at the last possible moment.
Hart save
Agbonlahor went down a little too easily as England launched their first meaningful attack but referee Gianluca Rocchi was not fooled by the dive. The Villa forward made amends with a dashing run past Vasco Fernandes but there was no on the end of his final ball.
Portugal, who were keeping far better possession of the ball, remained in control as Gama pulled a shot wide and then missed narrowly after racing clear.
Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne almost nodded England ahead via a Fabrice Muamba free kick but his header was just wide.
The effort preceded a period of English domination as Agbonlahor showed speed and strength to create a chance for Adam Johnson, who was denied by the fingertips of keeper Rui Patricio.
Clearly rattled, Portugal's defence began creaking with Milner darting his way through traffic before expertly squaring only for a lack of support to undermine his flash of brilliance.
Milner impresses
But Milner's disappointment was soon eased as he fired England ahead from the spot. Paulo Machado could have some justification for complaining that his penalty for clattering into Fabrice Muamba was harsh but Milner made no mistake as he rifled home in the 44th minute.
Milner broke into space early in the second half and tried his luck from long range but this time Patricio was able to keep him out.
Patricio's workload continued to grow as he stopped a Tom Huddlestone free-kick that was headed for the bottom left. Mancienne was proving a menace at corners and after another effort went wide he was pressed into action at his own end to disrupt Freitas' who had slipped free.
England's early woes became a distant memory as Agbonlahor fired Pearce's team further ahead. Mark Noble sent Agbonlahor sprinting into space and, capitalising on poor positioning from Portugal's centre-backs, he slotted the ball beneath Patricio.
Substitute Fraizer Campbell replaced Agbonlahor and the Manchester United forward, on loan at Tottenham, set off a dazzling run that ended with a fine save by Patricio. Portugal enjoyed a late flurry but Hart, operating in slippery conditions, dealt with a pair of long-range efforts.
