A win in this match would go a long way towards securing a place in the finals of the 1962 World Cup. That was what was drummed into the England players before the game. They knew that with two second-leg ties against both Luxembourg and Portugal to come at home, with a good result here their qualification would be almost guaranteed.

The game, played in the excessive heat of the National Stadium, was full of twists and turns, and although England never reproduced the form of some of their recent internationals, they did compete well and had several outstanding individuals. However, whether it was the heat or the extra pressure of the occasion, one could not be sure, but Bobby Smith and Jimmy Greaves never looked as sharp on the day and it made an important difference.

The first half was fairly even but Ron Springett had to make a superb save when Aguás was put clean through after some careless play by Bobby Robson and Bobby Charlton. England, though, at times played some lovely football and might have done even better had they not just overdone things in the Portuguese penalty area. Ron Flowers was a tower of strength for England and he scarcely put a foot wrong. Charlton showed glimpses of his phenomenal talent and Bryan Douglas flicked and tricked his way down the right wing with great heart. Sadly for England, the searing heat had an overall effect on their game and they found it difficult to pace themselves.

Three good chances came England's way in the last ten minutes of the first half. First, Pereira made a superb diving save from a typical Charlton thunderbolt, then Smith headed just past a post and finally, just before the interval, Charlton shot over after a brilliant through-ball played by the masterly Johnny Haynes.

England did not have it all their own way, however, as Portugal worked very hard. Fifteen minutes after the break their effort was rewarded when they sensationally took the lead. Augusto broke down the right and passed the ball inside. Robson intercepted and tried to pass back to Springett. The goalkeeper unfortunately misjudged the bounce and Aguás nipped in smartly to prod the ball home. The goal triggered huge celebrations on the terraces.

At this point England were struggling but suddenly they found inspiration through their skipper, Haynes. The inside-left took the game by the scruff of the neck and inspired his teammates to a late effort in the final third of the match. Charlton looked more dangerous again, Greaves was livelier and the whole side was pushed forward from the back by the displays of Flowers and Jimmy Armfield. Armfield showed incredible stamina as he continually supported his forwards as well as defending solidly against the lively Cavem.

The extra effort was very worthwhile and in the last half-hour England dominated. The increasing pressure on the Portuguese goal had to tell and in the 82nd minute England scored their much deserved equalizer. Haynes was fouled by Mendes on the edge of the box and when the England captain tapped the free-kick sideways, man-of-the-match Flowers crashed in an unstoppable low shot from 20 yards.

In the last eight minutes England came so very close to snatching victory. Lino cleared off the line from Smith and then Pereira saved bravely at the Tottenham player's feet when a goal seemed certain. Finally, in the very last minute, a superb move between Armfield, Charlton and Haynes ended with Greaves' shot being brilliantly turned away by Pereira.

So, England had to be content with the draw. It has set things up nicely for the two home games.
     

A mix-up between goalkeeper Ron Springett and Bobby Robson let Portugal in for the first goal of the match just after half-time in a World Cup qualifier played in extreme heat. Ron Flowers crashed in the vital equalizer nine minutes from the end with a free-kick that took a slight deflection on the way into the net. The Portuguese side was adorned with eight players from the exceptional Benfica team, including magnificent goalkeeper Costa Pereira who pulled off a series of stunning saves to prevent England from getting the victory their more enterprising play deserved. Skipper Johnny Haynes was once again the main inspiration with his precise passes from a midfield command post.
     

Source Notes

TheFA.com
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's Yearbooks
Mike Payne's England: The Complete Post-War Record (Breedon Books Publishing Company, Derby, U.K., 1993)
Norman Giller, Football Author
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CG