The Manchester United centre half nodded the ball home from substitute Raheem Sterling’s left-wing cross after the visitors failed to adequately clear a free kick by Kyle Walker.
The game offered precious little entertainment and even less goalmouth incident until Smalling struck.
Portugal, who rested talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo, had centre half Bruno Alves sent off for a reckless aerial challenge on Harry Kane in the 35th minute.
“It’s never easy to play against 10 men,” manager Roy Hodgson told ITV Sport after England collected their third friendly victory in 12 days.
“I thought in the second half we played some very good football and I thought especially in the last 30 minutes, after we made changes and brought on some fresh legs, that we looked good.”
The crowd, which included newly-appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, had to wait until the 23rd minute for the first effort on goal, a tame header from England captain Wayne Rooney easily saved by Rui Patricio.
Twelve minutes later Alves received a straight red card after catching Kane with a dangerous blow on the side of the head from his flying boot.
There was no sign England were playing with a one-man advantage as Portugal completely dominated possession at the start of the second half.
Equally frustrating for the home fans was the sight of chief goal threat Kane taking the corners and set pieces until he was substituted in the 78th minute.
