Portugal 2-1 Nigeria - Late Francisco Conceição strike seals victory in Leiria | OneFootball

Portugal’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup are complete after a 2-1 victory against Nigeria at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa.

The Seleção had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring early on in Leiria when Francisco Trincão released Nélson Semedo, the right-back squaring the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo who fired wide.

Akor Adams missed the target at the opposite end but it was Portugal who opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

Trincão’s pass over the top evaded Christian Akpan which allowed Diogo Dalot to pick up the ball near the byline. He sized up his options before finding Pedro Neto who fired a left footed shot into the bottom corner.

Roberto Martínez’s side maintained the momentum, a fierce Bruno Fernandes strike tipped over the bar by Maduka Okoye. Fernandes delivered the resulting corner into the box where Ronaldo’s header narrowly evaded the top corner.

Trincão fired over the bar before Nigeria equalised in the 37th minute. Adams outmuscled Gonçalo Inácio and beat Dalot to the ball, getting it back from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and powering it through Diogo Costa’s legs.

Roberto Martínez made nine substitutions at half-time, Diogo Costa and Ronaldo the only players to remain on the pitch.

João Félix took centre stage shortly after the restart, his shot tipped over the bar by Okoye before firing a rocket that hit the underside of the bar and bounced off the goal line.

Nuno Mendes presented a chance for Ronaldo who miscued his effort, the captain making way for Gonçalo Ramos in the 64th minute.

The contest was lacking some spark so Francisco Conceição took matters into his own hands in the 75th minute. He cut inside former Porto teammate Zaidu Sanusi and sent a low shot through traffic that gave Okoyo no chance.

Nuno Mendes made way for Matheus Nunes as Portugal closed out the game. They will now make their final preparations before traveling to Florida on Friday.

Francisco Conceição was the Portugal match-winner with a stunning strike (Photo: Miguel Carmo ©)

What did we learn

Nélson Semedo and Diogo Dalot were heavily involved in the first half, the full-backs frequently getting forward and setting up opportunities for the forwards. Bringing João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes and Matheus Nunes on in the second half highlights the strength of Portugal’s squad.

Roberto Martínez has so many options out wide with players that have different characteristics. Francisco Conceição, Pedro Neto and Rafael Leão bring speed and 1 on 1 ability while João Félix, Francisco Trincão and Bernardo Silva bring technicality and guile.

Cristiano Ronaldo went close twice in the first half and was given more minutes to find the net after the break. It wasn’t his night and he needs an early goal at the World Cup to regain some confidence.

Central defence could be the Seleção’s achilles' heel. I have doubts that Martínez’s options have enough physicality and aggression to deliver Portugal their first World Cup title.

Lineups

Portugal 1st half (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Nélson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Diogo Dalot; João Neves, Vitinha; Francisco Trincão, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal 2nd half (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Tomás Araújo, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes (Matheus Nunes, 79’); Rúben Neves, Samú Costa; Francisco Conceição, Bernardo Silva, João Félix; Cristiano Ronaldo (Gonçalo Ramos, 64’)

Unused subs: Ricardo Velho, José Sá, Rui Silva, Gonçalo Guedes

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Nigeria: Maduka Okoye, Christian Akpan (Abdullahi Bewene, 60’), Semi Ajayi (Zaidu Sanusi, 60’), Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Wilfred Ndidi (Raphael Onyedika, 60’), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Frank Onyeka, 60’), Alex Iwobi (Philip Otele, 89’), Tochukwu Nnadi (Emmanuel Fernandez, 79’), Akor Adams (Paul Onuachu, 79’), Moses Simon (Terem Moffi, 60’)