Smith was delighted to be given a chance and he said in the Yorkshire Evening Post: "It's always nice to get on and it was a good result for us in the end I thought.
"We played very well, especially in the second half. You never know when these chances are going to come along, especially after what happened last time, which was a bit of a shock to everybody.
"But I've got over that now. The gaffer stuck by me and hopefully I've repaid him for it. Obviously I was disappointed not to be allowed to take part last time and get the chance to put my name forward for Euro 2004, but hopefully I've played well now and can continue to play well for Leeds United as well."
Ledley King, making his full international debut, scored England's goal immediately after half-time, forcing the ball home from close range, following a David Beckham free-kick, but Portugal equalised soon after from a long-range free-kick from Pauleta.
Portugal: Ricardo, Paulo Ferreira (Miguel h/t), Rui Jorge, Andrade (Ricardo Carvalho 75), Couto (Beto 83), Costinha (Deco h/t), Figo (Boa Morte 66), Petit (Viana 83), Pauleta (Hugo Almeida 78), Rui Costa (Tiago 61), Simao (Ronaldo h/t), Nuno Valente (Nuno Valente h/t).
Subs Not Used: Quim.
Booked: Petit.
England: James, Phil Neville (Mills h/t), Ashley Cole (Bridge 17), King, Southgate, Butt (Carragher 86), Beckham (Jenas 86), Lampard (Joe Cole h/t), Scholes (Dyer h/t), Owen (Heskey 71), Rooney (Smith 71), Bridge (Hargreaves 86).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Kirkland.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
Attendance: 27,000.