Portugal 2-1 Nigeria - Player Ratings: Francisco Conceição stakes his claim for playing time at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Portugal defeated Nigeria 2-1 in its World Cup send-off match in Leiria. Roberto Martínez reinstated two of the PSG quartet into the starting XI with Semedo, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias and Cristiano Ronaldo the only carry-overs from the 2-1 victory over Chile.

Starters

Diogo Costa – 5/10

Alert to collect Bassey’s scuffed 7th minute attempt but concerning he could not make the save when well-positioned to block Adams’ strike. Far less troubled in the second half as substitutions dampened the flow of the match.

Nélson Semedo – 7

Another confident forty-five minutes. Decent burst past his marker in the 3rd minute then put down a spectacular ball for Cristiano. Stretched Nigeria with his vertical running. He will see the pitch this tournament – the question is how much?

Gonçalo Inácio – 4.5

Not a great outing. Struggled with Adams’ physicality. Held off and beaten for pace down the left with Adams blazing wide right. Then easily shrugged off by Adams before the goal. Topped it off with a sliced clearance before halftime. Difficult to imagine him starting alongside Dias against DRC.

Rúben Dias – 7

Thankfully on hand to close down Adams after Inácio was beaten. A composed 45 minutes tonight, Dias will be hoping whoever partners him is up to the task this tournament, or he will be a tired man indeed.

Diogo Dalot – 6.5

Featured on the left and worked well with Trincão before assisting Neto’s opener. A bit too casual in letting Adams poke the ball past him en-route to scoring Nigeria’s equalizer. Not good enough to move up the fullback pecking order.

João Neves – 7

Showed great feet to win a free kick from Alex Iwobi along the left sideline. Smart movement and intelligent passes in 45 minutes tonight.

Vitinha – 7

Lovely 29’ throughball for Dalot who may have been offside. Vitinha did what he always does - dropping deep to collect the ball and patiently working up-field alongside Neves.

Bruno Fernandes – 6.5

Escaped containment to warm Okoye’s palms with a 34’ effort following a free kick. Nearly found Ronaldo with a delightful chip to the left side of the box minutes before halftime. Not operating at 100% with Portugal’s first group stage match only a week away.

Francisco Trincão – 6.5

Great ball over the top to Dalot in the build-up to Neto’s goal. Dashed beyond his marker and sent in a crisp effort over the top in the 37th minute. Willing to run back in support midfield when required too. A squad player surely, but Trincão will be one to watch coming off the bench this tournament.

Pedro Neto – 7

Great strike from the left side of the penalty area from Dalot’s layoff, a goal he sorely needed. An errant touch brought a good team move to an end and allowed a counterattack in the 40th minute. Better than against Chile.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 4.5

Showed his commitment to end up on the scoresheet with a speculative effort from range within 90 seconds of kick-off. Fired just wide in the 9th minute, a chance he would be expected to convert 9 times out of 10, then headed over in the 34th. Badly miscued following an excellent Nuno Mendes cross a few minutes after the break. Too slow to get on the end of Mendes’ intelligent throw-in, his last key involvement before being substituted. There are two main concerns with this Portugal squad – the centre of defence and who will score goals if Ronaldo misfires.

Substitutes

Renato Veiga – 6.5

More physically adept than Inácio. Slipped once under pressure but recovered and won a foul. Surely he will partner Dias?

Nuno Mendes – 6.5

Sent in an excellent 50’ cross for Ronaldo, wasted in the end. Ran hard down the left, beating his marker when he felt so inclined. Played only 35 minutes before Nunes took his place. Some murmurings about a possible injury continue although no clear indication has emerged.

Francisco Conceição – 7.5, PortuGOAL.net’s Man of the Match

Should have done better when released by Ronaldo in the 59th. Showed his quality in the 75th when he burst past Sanusi to unleash a low drive into the bottom left corner, his 4th goal for Portugal. He and Neto are the frontrunners to start either side of Cristiano against DRC.

Rúben Neves – 6

A few good challenges and interceptions, but Costa was more involved in both defence and attack.

João Félix – 6.5

Announced his presence with a fiercely struck effort palmed over by Okoye then immediately thumped the crossbar from outside the area. Headed over in the 55’ from a Cancelo cross. Silly yellow card for booting the ball away after the whistle. Great first touch on a long ball over the top but shoved off the ball by Bewene just before releasing his shot.

Bernardo Silva – 5.5

Helped Portugal assume better attacking third presence in the second half, but stayed on the periphery of the action.

João Cancelo – 6.5

Ended a late Moffi incursion after Araújo had interrupted his run. Technically assisted Chico with a short pass out wide. Made a few good crosses.

Tomás Araújo – 6

Did not look altogether uncomfortable next to Veiga. With Inácio struggling, he may actually see the pitch this tournament.

Samú Costa – 7

Good 65’ interception to stop a counterattack, great challenge on Onyeka when the striker burst through down the right. Somehow knocked in a clever shot on goal in the 84’ though well-marked near the back post.

Gonçalo Ramos – 6

Good hold-up play to release Chico at the end of the 90 minutes. But no shots in his 25 minutes of work tonight.

Matheus Nunes – 6

Came on for the final 10 minutes at right-back and showed some confident touches under pressure.