A single goal from Lia O'Leary caught the eye as the Republic of Ireland Women's Under-17s fell to a 3-1 defeat to Portugal in the first of two International Friendly games in Lisbon.

Head Coach James Scott was keen to set up these games in order to further test his squad following two games against Northern Ireland.

Portugal took the lead on 48 minutes when Maria Joao fired in, but Ireland hit back on 68 minutes when a high press led to good combination play and O'Leary beating her defender before finishing.

The hosts regained the lead on 77 minutes through a goal from Ana Carolina before Lara Martins finished it all off on 89 minutes with a third goal.

Ireland played well and struck the woodwork three times from Abbie Larkin, O’Leary and Tara O’Hanlon, while Larkin was also denied by the opposition goalkeeper in a 1v1 situation.

In a game played in 25 degrees heat, Scott can be pleased with his team's overall performance but with some notes of how they can improve for the next game.

Republic of Ireland: Lawless; Russell, Dossen, Fleming, O'Hanlon; Kelly (O'Sullivan 58), O'Mahony (Thompson 76); Loughrey, Lawrence (O'Brien 85), O'Leary (Long 76); Larkin (Ralph 46).

Portugal: V Ferreira; Ramos, Vinhas, M Ferreira, Francisca; Bravo, Gago; Joao, Simas, Rodrigues, Martins.

Referee: Diana Henriques (Portugal).