England produced a scintillating performance to beat Portugal 6-1 and seal their place in the semi-final of the UEFA Women’s U17 Euros.

Lois Fidler’s side needed just a draw to guarantee progress from Group A behind Italy, but after Mollie Rouse put them ahead in the 10th minute they grew in confidence and ran out more than comfortable victors.

Two quick-fire goals, one each for Evie Clarke and Atlanta Primus, daughter of former Portsmouth defender Linvoy, made it 3-0 before the Portuguese pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Carolina Ferreira.

England 6-1 Portugal UEFA Women's U17 Euro Finals

Group A

Monday 2 December 2013

Burton Albion FC

The Young Lions came again and Chloe Kelly extended the lead once more before an Alice Hassall penalty made it 5-1. And Lucy Porter completed the scoring in the 60th minute by heading home Primus’s corner.

England will take on Spain in Thursday’s semi-final after the Iberians defeated Germany 4-0 to top Group B.

The opening period of England’s previous two group matches had been fairly cagey but the hosts were on top from the off in Burton, with their left-hand side looking particularly threatening early on. And it was down the left that Jemma Purfield created the opening goal.

In the 10th minute, Primus played a through ball into the path of full-back Purfield, who whipped in a teasing cross to the back post – and Rouse was on-hand to nudge the ball over the line from close range for her second tournament goal.

Despite taking an early lead, England kept up the pressure and Primus and Kelly both tried to double the advantage from outside the box, but to no avail.

If the left wing proved fruitful in the early exchanges, England’s opposite flank then took over as half-time approached.

Just after the half-hour mark, right-back Hassall burst forward into space and sent the ball into the box for Clarke to sweep the ball home from 10 yards and double her side’s advantage.

Primus made it 3-0 just two minutes later with Clarke turning provider. The Arsenal forward picked out England’s No17 who nodded the ball beyond Catarina Barradas.

But the Portuguese upped the ante as the half drew to a close and captain Nadine Cordeiro called Kirstie Levell into action just moments before Ferreira pulled a goal back with a low shot from the edge of the box.

If that was a warning shot to Fidler’s charges, they certainly took note as they restored their three-goal lead shortly after the restart.

Keira Walsh played Clarke in through the centre and although her shot was parried by Barradas, Kelly tucked away the rebound.

Susana Cova’s side were rocked and after their defence was carved open once more, Barradas received a red card for felling Kelly inside the area and Hassall coolly slotted home the spot kick to put the result beyond doubt.

But they were not finished there. After Levell got down well to repel Ines Silva’s free-kick, England surged up the other end and won a corner – which Primus sent in for Porter to head home her second goal in as many games and put a fine gloss on a dominant performance.

And England will head in to Thursday’s semi-final with confidence coursing through their veins.

England: 1 Kirstie Levell, 2 Alice Hassall (16 Rebecca Lloyd, 67), 3 Jemma Purfield (15 Ella Williams, 65), 4 Mollie Rouse, 5 Leah Williamson (C), 6 Gabrielle George, 7 Evie Clarke, 9 Chloe Kelly, 10 Keira Walsh (18 Ellie Wilkinson, 53), 14 Lucy Porter, 17 Atlanta Primus

Substitutes not used: 12 Phillippa Cowley, 13 Sian Rogers, 19 Brogan McHugh.

Head coach: Lois Fidler

Portugal: 1 Catarina Barradas, 2 Sara Monteiro, 3 Mariana Fong, 4 Ines Silva, 6 Nadine Cordeiro (C) (12 Ana Oliveira, 51), 7 Rita Chegancas (15 Josephine Monteiro, 75), 8 Susana Silva, 9 Francisca Cardoso, 10 Carolina Ferreira (14 Margarida Sousa, 41), 11 Leandra Pereira, 16 Diana Gomes

Substitutes not used: 5 Sofia Silva, 13 Margarida Machado, 17 Claudia Tecedeiro, 18 Barbara Azevedo.

Head coach: Susana Cova

Referee: Ana Minic (Ser)

Attendance: 1,931