Alex Scott says England want to 'finish job' with Portugal win in Euro 2017

England defender Alex Scott says the Lionesses are determined to “finish the job” with a win over Portugal on Thursday, after securing victories over their Euro 2017 Group D counterparts Scotland and Spain.

An emphatic 6-0 win over Scotland followed by a determined 2-0 victory over Spain means quarter-final qualification for Mark Sampson's side is all but assured, as England prepare for their final group game of the tournament.

Scott, though, insists the ladies have their sights firmly set on a clean sweep and will not underestimate Portugal - the lowest ranked country in the competition.

"Of course we want to finish the job. When we came into the tournament we wanted to get three wins under our belt," she told Sky Sports News.

"We know, coming into tournaments with rankings, even though they're ranked below us, they can still qualify.

"They will be coming out like this is their cup final so we can't underestimate them and we won't."

The 32-year-old watched England's previous wins from the bench and, although Scott remains tight-lipped on whether she is included in Thursday's starting XI already selected by Sampson, the Arsenal right-back believes patience is key to succeeding at the highest level.

"I wouldn't say I'm frustrated," said Scott, who was awarded an MBE in April for her contribution to women's football.

"Obviously everyone in the squad wants to be on the pitch and playing. We all know our roles. When you get the opportunity you have to take it.

"It's Mark's decision who he picks in the starting XI and that's part and parcel of being part of a squad, so when you get your moment you have to shine and take it.

"With Mark, always we have the same routine. Match day minus two, he names the team and preparations are done so no surprises."

The Lionesses endured a fast-paced encounter with Spain on Sunday and will feel they fully deserved the win after seeing Millie Bright's header ruled out for offside just moments after Fran Kirby opened the scoring.

But England's opposition might have felt aggrieved at not coming away with at least a point after appearing to have been awarded a penalty late on in the game, only for referee Carina Vitulano to change her mind - a decision Scott says would have left her team feeling aggrieved had they been in Spain's position.

"It's one of those where, if you're on the other side, you're going to be absolutely devastated and fuming but from us I think it shows a lot of coverage from the referee to hold up your hands and say you made a mistake," she added.

"To change that decision in a major tournament is huge and, luckily for us, it went our way.

"Millie Bright couldn't get on the scoresheet yet - maybe tomorrow."

Scott says the players feel positive going into Thursday's fixture and revealed she has taken to playing a tune or two during downtime.

"The mood in the camp is upbeat. We're confident because we know the task at hand," she said.

"This is the third game of six. We want to be in that final. It's about recovering and we go again.

"You spend a lot of time in your hotel so you have to kind of break it up and, a couple of years ago, I started trying to learn the guitar.

"I put it away for a couple of years but now Karen [Carney] has the pain of me trying to strum some new tunes.

"I'm going to keep practising."