Portugal player ratings versus Mexico: Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto to the fore in low-key friendly | OneFootball

Bruno Fernandes was Portugal’s captain and standout player in the friendly against Mexico (Photo: Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

The two friendless on North American soil Portugal play this week are as much about adaptation to the local conditions and a chance for fringe players to stake their claim for a seat on the plane to World Cup 2026 as actually winning the games against Mexico and USA.

With players wary of avoiding injury months before the tournament kicks off, it was not altogether surprising that the match in Mexico City was less than thrilling. Nevertheless, Roberto Martínez can draw conclusions, with Samú Costa and Matheus Nunes doing their chances of making the cut no harm, in contrast to Gonçalo Guedes at the Azteca Stadium.

PortuGOAL rates the Seleção players in last night’s goalless draw.

Rui Silva – 7/10

Rarely called into action, Silva proved Portugal have a reliable backup to Diogo Costa with a calm display in only his second cap for his country. Showed safe hands when coming out for crosses, dealt well with a dangerous Israel Reyes shot on 35’. In the second half his composed temperament was shown by the way he coolly dribbled around an attempted Mexican press before finding João Neves with a fine vertical pass. On 78’ was alert to race out of his box and thwart Armando González.

Matheus Nunes – 7/10

Pep Guardiola has converted Nunes from a midfielder to a right-back and the Manchester City man put in a promising 45 minutes in that position for Portugal. Physically imposing, a threat going forward, popping up dangerous positions deep in Mexico’s half on two occasions, and showed excellent recovery speed.

António Silva – 5/10

The Benfica centre-back has never recaptured the form of his brilliant debut season, and again looked shaky, albeit with the excuse that he was playing in a makeshift Portugal defence. Some loose passing and one instance of particularly poor reading of the play allowed Raúl Jiménez to steal in dangerously behind the defence.

Renato Veiga – 5.5/10

Portugal’s only outfield player to complete the 90 minutes, the Villarreal defender offers some real physicality at centre-back. Showed good anticipation at times, and came close to scoring on the hour mark, heading over the bar. But despite his height, Veiga was often beaten in the air and, like Silva, distribution is not his strong point.

Nuno Mendes – 6/10

Playing very much within himself, Mendes had a quiet game (45 minutes) by his standards, one powerful marauding run through the middle towards the end of the half a reminder of what he can do.

Samú Costa – 7/10

A surprise selection by Martínez, Costa caught the eye with the 45 minutes of football he was afforded, seeing plenty of the ball, positioning himself intelligently (pulling off an outstanding goal-saving tackle early in the game), showing good aggression, and even stinging Mexican goalkeeper Raúl Rangel’s fingers with a fierce shot from range.

Rúben Neves – 5.5/10

Neat and tidy as ever, Neves is one of Martínez’s trusted lieutenants and put in a typical performance, working hard and not letting anyone down without being a difference-maker.

PortuGOAL man of the match: Bruno Fernandes – 7.5/10

Bruno is enjoying a magnificent season for Manchester United and the confidence with which he is playing was evident in the Mexican capital. Portugal’s captain in Ronaldo’s absence, he set up Portugal’s first chance for Félix with an astute cross-field ball, a brilliantly inventive first-time pass gave Gonçalo Ramos a clear sight at goal on 26’, he sent over another delicious cross on 59’ that Veiga headed over, and he was not far away from scoring himself with two shots at the start of the second half.

Francisco Conceição – 5.5/10

In and out of the game, the diminutive Juventus winger did well early doors to pounce on a Mexico mistake and his quick thinking led to the Ramos chance. Martínez calls him his “espalha-brasas” which can be loosely translated to “chaos-causer” but Conceição did not spark into life during the 45 minutes he played.

João Félix – 6/10

Like most of Portugal’s players during a first half when Mexico showed plenty of energy to close down the Seleção attacks, Félix was forced to feed on scraps. Not far away from scoring an ingenious goal with a clever lob that just cleared the bar, and played a lovely one-two with Bruno that led to a Ramos chance.

Gonçalo Ramos – 5.5/10

Plenty of hard running and was usually in the right place at the right time to try and break the deadlock. Unlucky on 26’ with an instinctive first-time shot that bounced back off the post, but missed his kick horribly on 34’ when in a prime position to score.

Substitutes

Tomas Araújo – 6/10

Forty-five minutes was sufficient to show Araújo is incomparably more comfortable on ball than both his Benfica teammate António Silva and Veiga. The centre-back is probably competing with his club colleague for a place in the World Cup squad.

Pedro Neto – 7/10

Immediate impact as a second-half substitute, setting up a chance for Bruno Fernandes with his pace. Showed a level of urgency and aggression – even getting into a scuffle with Jesus Gallardo – conspicuously missing in the match. Combined well with Paulinho but shot wide, and another strong run into the box almost resulted in a stoppage-time winner for Portugal, Rangel saving Neto’s cross-shot.

Pedro Neto was a lively second-half substitute (Photo: Diogo Pinto/FPF)

Diogo Dalot – 5.5/10

Another of Martínez’s favourites, Dalot put in a solid shift and has the advantage of being able to operate on either flank.

João Cancelo – 6/10

Like Dalot, João Cancelo can play on either side and he replaced Mendes in the second half as Portugal’s left-back. His confidence is high thanks to regular playing time and good form at Barcelona and he showed some excellent touches and typical bursts forwards. Almost scored from a header, his effort skimming narrowly wide.

Vitinha – 6/10

Portugal’s ability to control possession was enhanced the moment Vitinha stepped onto the pitch, his precise passing, willingness to make himself available and quick movement of the ball all in evidence.

Portugal exerted greater control with Vitinha and Neves on the pitch (Photo: Diogo Pinto/FPF)

João Neves – 6/10

Along with Vitinha, his introduction allowed Portugal to dominate possession for longer periods than in the first half. The form of the PSG midfield pair will surely be crucial to Portugal’s chances of success at the World Cup.

Gonçalo Guedes – 4.5/10

Back in the picture four years after his last appearance for the Seleção, Guedes had a match to forget. Whether it was nerves or trying too hard to impress, the winger fluffed a clear opportunity to shoot and was careless with ball, losing it countless times.

Paulinho – 5/10

Given half an hour, Paulinho ran onto the pitch on the back of a generous ovation from the Mexico fans, the striker having enjoyed tremendous success in the Liga MX. Starved of service, Paulinho did not get the chance to impress. One neat combination with Pedro Neto apart, he seldom touched the ball.

Francisco Trincão – not rated