Portugal Hosts England in Women’s Nations League Opener

PORTIMÃO, Portugal — England‘s Women’s National Team kicks off its Nations League campaign against Portugal tonight at 7:45 p.m. GMT. The match marks a crucial start for the Lionesses, who are the reigning European champions and aiming to build momentum ahead of Euro 2025.

The Lionesses are competing in Group A3 of the Women’s Nations League, which also impacts their qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. England’s manager, Sarina Wiegman, is keen to observe her squad’s performance amid several key injuries, including Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead.

Chloe Kelly and Lucy Parker have been called up as late replacements for the injured players. Kelly is making her return to the squad after being initially overlooked. England is currently ranked 18 places higher than Portugal, who have shown promise recently, winning two of their last three matches, including a victory against the Czech Republic to qualify for Euro 2025.

Lucy Bronze, a prominent defender for England, talked about her connection to Portugal during a media conference earlier in the week. “I have always been in good contact with the Portuguese federation. They are a team I always root for… My first ever kit was a Portugal kit,” Bronze said, emphasizing her dual heritage.

Despite their strong lineup, England has struggled with consistency over the past year, illustrated by draws against Sweden and a defeat to France. Bronze acknowledged the challenge posed by Portugal as they look to implement Wiegman’s strategies successfully.

Fans in the U.K. can watch the match live on ITV1 or stream it via ITVX for free, provided they hold a valid U.K. TV license. The match will also be available free in Portugal through RTP 1. However, there are no U.S. broadcasters airing the game live, although several other Women’s Nations League matches will be available for viewers there.

For fans traveling abroad, using a VPN service can allow access to their home broadcasts for the match. VPNs provide a reliable way to bypass geographic restrictions, ensuring that viewers can connect to services as if they were in their native country.

Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. GMT, and the match will be pivotal as England seeks to assert dominance early in the tournament.