Portugal’s U21 team could clinch a spot in the semi-finals of the European Championships with a victory against Italy on Sunday.

Rui Jorge’s squad earned a deserved 1-0 victory against England this week to open the tournament. João Mário’s second-half goal gave Portugal the narrow victory. The Italians, meanwhile, squandered a lead to Sweden, eventually losing 2-1 in their first group stage match.

PortuGoal previews Portugal versus Italy.

England 0-1 Portugal

The Seleção got off to a winning start in their quest to become European U21 champions with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a surprisingly well organised and technically adept young England side, with João Mario's 57th minute winner being the difference between two evenly matched sides.

Meeting in the tidy little Stadion Miroslav Valenty, an 8,000 capacity ground in the city of Uherske Hradiste in South Moravia, home to Czech club Slovacko, the match was seen as an opportunity to see how players young in years but long in experience would fare in tournament football.

Rui Jorge’s Portugal squad begin their quest for a first UEFA U21 European Championship title this evening against England.

The Seleção won ten out of ten qualifying games, including victories over the Netherlands home and away in the play-off, making them one of the favourites at the tournament.

PortuGOAL highlights five Portugal players to watch in the Czech Republic.

Rui Jorge leads his Seleção team into action against England tomorrow in Portugal’s first match at the Under-21 European Championship being held in the Czech Republic.

After an impeccable qualifying campaign, and with a squad packed with big-name players, hopes are high that Portugal can at least match their best-ever performance at the tournament, when they finished runners-up to Italy in 1994.