Cristiano Ronaldo endures a night to forget before the 2026 World Cup

Portugal lacked a cutting edge in its final World Cup tuneup, but Roberto Martínez’s team still found a way to win.

After edging Chile 2-1 earlier in the international window, Portugal closed out its pre-World Cup preparations with another 2-1 victory, this time over Nigeria in Leiria. The match also served as a farewell to home supporters before the Portuguese squad departs for the United States and begins its World Cup journey.

Pedro Neto opened the scoring for Portugal, but the biggest concerns for Martínez came elsewhere. Portugal struggled to control the midfield for long stretches, with Nigeria matching the Europeans physically and disrupting their rhythm. Cristiano Ronaldo also endured another frustrating night in front of goal.

The Portuguese captain created chances but once again failed to convert them. It was a familiar story after a scoreless outing against Chile, and his lack of finishing sharpness could become a concern with the World Cup opener approaching and Ronaldo expected to lead the line.

Nigeria causes problems

Akor Adams proved a constant threat to Portugal’s defense and eventually scored the equalizer for Nigeria.

Despite the setback, a wave of substitutions helped change the flow of the game. Nigeria’s intensity faded after halftime, allowing Portugal to take greater control.

João Félix made an immediate impact off the bench, bringing energy and creativity to the attack. The Al Nassr forward struck the crossbar after testing the goalkeeper twice with efforts from outside the box.

Portugal also managed possession more effectively after the break, slowing the tempo when needed and limiting Nigeria’s opportunities. The African side became less precise on the ball and struggled to put together meaningful passing sequences, making it harder to create dangerous attacks.

Portugal finds another way to win

Portugal looked significantly improved in the second half. The team controlled possession more comfortably, handled Nigeria’s limited attacking threats and created a steady stream of chances.

Finishing remained an issue, but Martínez’s squad once again showed the individual quality that makes it a dangerous World Cup contender.

The winning moment came through Francisco Conceição. Receiving the ball on the right flank, he cut inside onto his favored left foot and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net.

As they have done throughout this warmup period, Portugal found a solution when the game became complicated.

With two victories from two pre-World Cup friendlies, Portugal heads to the United States with confidence and momentum. Expectations remain high. There are still areas to improve, particularly in front of goal, but the results continue to arrive for Martínez and his team.

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Portugal

• 1 Diogo Costa
• 2 Nelson Semedo (45')
• 14 Gonçalo Inácio (45')
• 3 Rúben Dias (45')
• 5 Diogo Dalot (45')
• 18 Pedro Neto (45')
• 15 João Neves (45')
• 23 Vitor Ferreira (45')
• 16 Trincão (45')
• 8 Bruno Fernandes (45')
• 7 Cristiano (64')
• Substitutes
• 11 João Félix (45')
• 19 Gonçalo Guedes
• 13 Renato Veiga (45')
• 4 Tomas Araujo (45')
• 24 Samuel Costa (45')
• 6 Matheus (79')
• 12 José Sá
• 25 Nuno Mendes (79')
• 9 Goncalo Ramos (64')
• 21 Ruben Neves (45')
• 20 Cancelo (45')
• 10 Bernardo Silva (45')
• 27 Ricardo Velho
• 22 Rui Silva
• 26 Francisco Conceição (45')

Nigeria

• Maduka Okoye
• 6 Semi Ajayi (60')
• Christian Akpan (59')
• 21 Calvin Ughelumba
• 13 B. Onyemaechi
• 17 Alex Iwobi (89')
• 4 Onyinye Ndidi (59')
• 28 Tochukwu Nnadi (79')
• 10 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (59')
• 22 Akor Adams (79')
• 15 Simon Moses Daddy (59')
• Substitutes
• Terem Moffi (59')
• Arthur Okonkwo
• 19 Ebere Paul Onuachu (79')
• 18 Raphael Onyedika Nwadike (59')
• 8 Frank Ogochukwu Onyeka (59')
• 11 Chukwueze (79')
• Philip Otele (89')
• 3 Zaidu Sanusi (60')
• Emmanuel Fernandez
• 1 Francis Uzoho
• Abdullahi Bewene (59')

Substitutions

Nuno Mendes (45', Diogo Dalot), Samú Costa (45', Vitinha), João Félix (45', Pedro Neto), Rúben Neves (45', João Neves), Renato Veiga (45', Gonçalo Inácio), Tomás Araújo (45', Rúben Dias), Francisco Conceição (45', Trincão), Bernardo Silva (45', Bruno Fernandes), João Cancelo (45', Nélson Semedo), Abdullahi Bewene (59', Christian Akpan), Terem Moffi (59', Moses Simon), Frank Onyeka (59', Fisayo Dele-Bashiru), Raphael Onyedika (59', Wilfred Ndidi), Zaidu Sanusi (60', Semi Ajayi), Gonçalo Ramos (64', Cristiano Ronaldo), Matheus Nunes (79', Nuno Mendes), Paul Onuachu (79', Akor Adams), Samuel Chukwueze (79', Tochukwu Nnadi), Philip Otele (89', Alex Iwobi)

Goals

1-0, 22': Pedro Neto, 1-1, 36': Akor Adams, 2-1, 74': Francisco Conceição

Cards

Referee: Mateo Busquets Ferrer
VAR Referee: Valentín Pizarro Gómez, Raúl Martín González Francés
B. Onyemaechi (18',Yellow), João Félix (70',Yellow), Zaidu Sanusi (92',Yellow), Samuel Costa (93',Yellow)