Hungary v Portugal (2-3): How PSG players fared | OneFootball

Portugal secured a valuable victory in Hungary (2-3), in a lively match that confirms their status as favorites in the qualifiers. Behind the collective success, certain individuals stood out for their impact or lack of prominence. Vitinha shone in midfield, João Neves confirmed his progress, Nuno Mendes made numerous runs and crosses, while Gonçalo Ramos, rarely found, remained in the shadows. Here’s a statistical review of their performances.

Vitinha, metronome and architect of the game

With 100 successful passes out of 101 attempted (99%), Vitinha embodied Portuguese technical mastery. A true regulator, he directed play with his 8/8 successful long passes, while feeding the attacking zones (23/30 passes in the final third, 97%).

His 105 balls played illustrate his constant influence. He didn’t just build: he also protected the team with 2 interceptions and a physical presence in aerial duels (1/1 won). In line with his performances for Paris, he is establishing himself as an essential figure for the Seleção.

João Neves, the reliability of youth

Less spectacular than Vitinha, João Neves complemented the midfield balance. With 45/51 successful passes (88%) and 13/18 successful in the final third, he ensured continuity between recovery and build-up.

Offensively, he stood out with 1 shot (xG 0.33) and 3 touches in the box, but it was mainly his defensive activity that counted: 1 interception, 6 duels contested (including 1/4 won on the ground). At just 19 years old, his composure on the ball confirms that he is not just a promise, but already a reliable asset in a key area.

Nuno Mendes, drive and volume of play

A highly sought-after left-back, Mendes once again showed his importance down the flank. With 74 touches and 41/47 successful passes (87%), he managed to combine ball retention and forward runs.

In the opposition box, he was threatening: 2 shots (xG 0.11) and 5 touches in the box, while multiplying crosses (14 passes in the final third, 74% success rate).

Defensively, his activity was notable: 13 duels contested (4/5 aerial, 3/8 on the ground), 1 successful tackle and 4 interceptions. After months hampered by injuries, he is now stringing games together and becoming an essential dual-purpose weapon: securing and destabilizing.

Gonçalo Ramos, ghostly despite his desire

Ramos’ appearance illustrates another facet: that of a striker cut off from the game. With only 6 touches, he did not attempt a single shot (xG 0.00). His stats are limited to technical accuracy (5/5 successful passes, 100%) and minimal presence in the box (just 1 touch).

Defensively, he was noted for 1 interception and 2 duels contested (1/1 won in the air, 0/1 on the ground). His performance reflects involvement off the ball, but a glaring lack of chances created for him by the team. An offensive match to forget, which again raises the question of his role amid competition in attack.

Conclusion

This Portuguese success in Hungary (2-3) illustrates the depth of a squad where varied profiles coexist. Vitinha dominated midfield with surgical precision, João Neves confirmed his progress in transition tasks, Nuno Mendes energized the left flank with intensity, while Ramos suffered from a lack of attacking influence. This diversity of contributions, whether positive or more neutral, offers an interesting snapshot of the current state of the Seleção: a talented team but still perfectible in the complementarity of its attack.

Key match stats

Vitinha

João Neves

Nuno Mendes

Gonçalo Ramos

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.