World Cup-bound Portugal Humiliate Super Eagles 4-0 In Lisbon friendly clash
Portugal roundly beat the Super Eagles 4-0 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday night in their final warm up game before heading to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
A brace from Bruno Fernandes in the first half and second half strikes from Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario, sealed the emphatic win.
Fenerbahce defender Bright Osayi-Samuel made his debut for the Super Eagles as he was named in the starting line-up.
Portugal were without star forward and skipper Cristiano Ronaldo who missed the game due to stomach bug.
The 2016 European Champions will open their 2022 World Cup campaign against Black Stars of Ghana on November 24.
Portugal’s early pressure eventually paid off on 9th minute through Fernandes who finished off a cutback from Diogo Dalot.
In the 15th minute Nuno Mendes almost doubled the lead for Portugal only to see his left foot curler miss the top corner.
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Portugal went close again on 19 minutes but Dalot’s dangerous cross evaded everybody inside the box.
Two minutes later Joao Felix attempted a long range effort which just sailed over the bar.
On 25 minutes Joe Aribo found himself inside the box and got to Alex Iwobi’s pass but saw his strike blocked for a corner.
In the 30th minute Moses Simon hit a low shot which Rui Patricio got down well to save.
Fernandes made it 2-0 on 35 minutes from the penalty spot after Osayi-Samuel stopped Bernardo Silva’s cross.
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The Manchester United star almost got his hat-trick after running behind the Super Eagles’ defence, rounded Francis Uzoho but saw his effort hit the sidenetting.
Before the start of the second half the Eagles made double change, Samuel Chukwueze and Frank Onyeka replacing Ademola Lookman and Wilfred Ndidi respectively.
Chukwueze’s introduction almost yielded fruit as he raced towards the Portuguese area but was disposed.
On 58 minutes Paul Onuachu came on for the ineffective Terem Moffi.
In the 61st minute Calvin Bassey sent in a low dangerous cross which was cleared by a Portugal’s defender.
Oghenekaro Etebo also came on in the 69th minute for Aribo.
Chukwueze had the Super Eagles’ best chance on 71 minutes, as he ran on to Iwobi pass beat his marker neatly but saw Patricio stopped his goal bound effort with his outstretched leg for a corner.
Uzoho was called into action few minutes later as he parried a well struck shot away for a corner.
With 15 minutes left Felix received a pass inside the box and hit a low shot which went just wide.
The Eagles had the opportunity to reduce the scoreline on 81 minutes but Emmanuel Dennis penalty was saved.
In the 82nd minute Portugal Ramos made it 3-0 as he just tapped into an empty net.
Mario then made it 4-0 on 84 minutes as he slotted into an empty net following a brilliant flick pass.
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