[Qatar World Cup] Strong Even Without Ronaldo... Portugal Crushes Nigeria 4-0

Fernandes' Multi-Goal Performance Showcases Powerful Offense

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup group stage, Portugal, which will face the national football team, showcased fierce firepower in their final warm-up match. On the 17th (local time), they crushed Nigeria 4-0 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal. Even without their star Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), they boasted a powerful offense, signaling a strong performance ahead.

Portugal, missing Ronaldo due to gastroenteritis symptoms, deployed Andre Silva (Leipzig) and Jo?o F?lix (Atl?tico Madrid) up front. In midfield, Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Ot?vio (Porto), and William Carvalho (Real Betis) supported the attack. The defense consisted of Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Ant?nio Silva (Benfica), R?ben Dias (Manchester City), and Diogo Dalot (Manchester United). The goal was guarded by Rui Patr?cio (Porto).

Portugal opened the scoring just 9 minutes into the first half. Dalot connected a cut-back from the right side of the penalty area, which Fernandes finished with his right foot. Fernandes added another goal in the 35th minute from a penalty kick. The opportunity came after a handball foul by Nigeria’s side defender Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbah?e), and Fernandes successfully converted the penalty with his right foot.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

At the start of the second half, Portugal made four substitutions, bringing on Pep (Porto), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), and others to prepare for the main tournament. Nigeria failed to mount a significant counterattack but earned a chance to score in the 35th minute of the second half. Osayi-Samuel broke into the penalty area and won a foul from Dalot. However, Emmanuel Dennis’s penalty kick was saved by Patr?cio, missing the goal.

Having escaped the crisis, Portugal scored consecutive goals with Gon?alo Ramos in the 37th minute and Jo?o M?rio (both from Benfica) in the 39th minute of the second half.

Portugal will play their World Cup group stage matches against Ghana on the 24th, Uruguay on the 28th, and South Korea on the 2nd of next month.