Portugal flies to the World Cup with a sense of success in the last test. It was enough against the unqualified Nigerians Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria to a hard-fought 2:1 (1:1), Cristiano Ronaldo had no luck.
In the 65th minute, CR7 left the pitch, high-fived his backup Goncalo Ramos and hugged coach Roberto Martínez. The now 41-year-old attacker from Al-Nassr FC started his 228th international match very enthusiastically, had the first dangerous long-range shot in the 2nd minute, but missed the goal, as did a header that went just past the corner shortly afterwards. The lead was already overdue in the 9th minute, but the Portuguese captain fired a low shot next to the left post after a dream pass from Nélson Semedo.
Guided by Pedro Neto
Ronaldo remained an asset, but neither a pass from Bruno Fernandes (17th) nor a one-two with Semedo helped the superstar score the 144th goal of his international career. In the 23rd minute, his partner Pedro Neto broke the spell with a well-placed low shot, but the Nigerians were not left with a lasting impression.
Shortly after Trincao missed the 2-0 with a left-footed shot over the crossbar, a simple long ball undermined the Portuguese defense – Akor Adams from Sevilla FC took advantage of the 2025 Nations League champion’s indisposition to equalize.
Eight changes at the break
At halftime, Martínez substituted eight players but left Ronaldo on the pitch. He then saw from close range how a fellow striker was promoting himself: In the 48th minute, Joao Felix shot with a full shot from 20 meters, the ball crashed into the underside of the crossbar and it looked as if it had crossed the goal line. But the referee team was of the opinion that this had not happened fully – Mateo Busquets Ferrer gesticulated clearly to indicate that he did not see the ball behind the line.
Portugal stayed in control, but had a difficult time playing. A quarter of an hour before the end, the liberating moment came: Francisco Conceição, after a flat pass on the right side, moved into the center in Michael Olise style and slammed the ball precisely into the far corner. Martínez now has exactly one week to learn the right lessons from this dress rehearsal: On June 17th, Portugal will face Congo in Group K at 7 p.m. in Houston, followed by duels with Uzbekistan and Colombia.