Portugal rounded off their pre-World Cup preparations with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at Estadio Dr Magalhaes Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night, with Pedro Neto and substitute Francisco Conceicao on the scoresheet to send Roberto Martinez’s side into the tournament on a positive note.
The result extended Portugal’s winning run in warm-up fixtures, having already beaten co-hosts the United States and Chile in their previous outings. Nigeria, who were eliminated from World Cup qualification in their continental playoff final against the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived having drawn 2-2 with Poland in their last match.
Cristiano Ronaldo went close to breaking the deadlock as early as the second minute, meeting a layoff from Bruno Fernandes to fire first-time from outside the box, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Portugal were not deterred and took the lead midway through the first half. Diogo Dalot picked out Neto on the left, and the Chelsea winger brought the pass under control inside the area before firing a crisp finish into the far corner.
Nigeria responded well and were level with eight minutes of the half remaining. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru threaded a through ball into the area, and Akor Adams, leading the line in the absence of Victor Osimhen, burst clear to finish with ease past Diogo Costa.
Martinez made nine changes at the interval, introducing Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva and Nuno Mendes among others, while Nigeria made no alterations.
Portugal picked up where they left off after the break. Felix almost restored the lead immediately with a powerful long-range strike, but Maduka Okoye palmed the effort over the bar. Ronaldo then spurned another opportunity five minutes into the second half, mis-timing his finish from an unmarked position inside the area following a cross from Nuno Mendes.
Nigeria remained under sustained pressure and were eventually punished in the 75th minute. Conceicao, on as a substitute, made a sharp run down the right, cut inside to the edge of the area and curled a finish into the bottom corner, giving Okoye no chance.
Portugal continued to threaten in the closing stages, with Samu Costa and Cancelo combining to carve out another opening from close range, only for Okoye to save well. Martinez’s side managed the final minutes comfortably to seal the win.
Portugal now turn their attention to the World Cup, where they face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K, opening their campaign against the Congolese on 17 June in Houston, Texas.
