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Ronaldo Silent in Final Test as Portugal Defeats Nigeria
Portugal defeated Nigeria 2-1 in their last warm-up match before the 2026 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, missed key chances and fell short of expectations.
Portugal won 2-1 against Nigeria in their final warm-up match before the 2026 World Cup. However, the most talked-about aspect of the night was not the score but Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed chances.
The match, played in Leria, saw goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição for Portugal. Nigeria’s only goal came from Akor Adams.
Ronaldo Created Chances but Couldn’t Finish
At 41 years old, Ronaldo missed a shot with his right foot early in the game after a deep pass from Nélson Semedo. He also had a header in the first half that went over the crossbar.
The experienced forward failed to score when facing the goalkeeper one-on-one in the second half, missing with his left foot this time. Throughout the match, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact, touching the ball 25 times but failing to hit the target.
The Portuguese star’s performance reignited debates about his recent form with the national team. Ronaldo’s last goal for Portugal was on October 14, 2025, against Hungary.
Portugal’s Final Warm-Up Challenge
Portugal started the match strongly, taking the lead with a left-footed strike from Pedro Neto. Nigeria equalized when Akor Adams dribbled past three defenders and slotted the ball between goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s legs.
Francisco Conceição’s left-footed finish after carrying the ball into the penalty area secured the winning goal for Portugal. This result gave Portugal a victorious send-off before the World Cup.
Coach Roberto Martínez fielded a strong lineup. With European champions from Paris Saint-Germain joining the camp, Vitinha and João Neves started in midfield, Nuno Mendes came on in the second half, and Gonçalo Ramos replaced Ronaldo in the 65th minute.
The Portuguese squad will travel to Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. Their first World Cup match is scheduled for June 17 against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Portugal will also face Uzbekistan and Colombia in the group stage. Although the final warm-up win looks reassuring on the scoreboard, Ronaldo’s missed clear chances dominated the headlines.
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