PORTUGAL’S final game before the World Cup couldn’t have gone any better – and they did it WITHOUT Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bruno Fernandes’ first half double set the tone for the remainder of match.
And Nigeria’s night went from bad to worse when courtesy of two late strikes from Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario.
- RESULT: Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
- TV channel: Sky Sports Premier League
- Live stream: NOW TV
- Portugal XI: Patricio; Dalot, Dias, Antonio Silva, Mendes; Otavio, Fernandes, Carvalho; Felix, Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva
- Nigeria XI: Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Akpoguma, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aribo, Ndidi, Iwobi; Lookman, Simon, Moffi
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Make the eagles super again
Jose Peseiro has got a tough task on his hands to change the fortunes of his Nigeria side.
Too often guilty of failing to live up to their billing, it has been a disappointing 12 months for Nigeria on the international stage.
Shock exit from AFCON at the hands of Tunisia, followed by yet more sorrow when Ghana ended their World Cup hopes.
Peseiro needs to work towards the AFCON qualifiers now to try and get Nigerian football back on track.
Bond is strong within squad
Portugal head into the World Cup, despite being one of the fancied teams, as real dark horses for the competition.
They are capable of not turning up on the big occasion and all too often fall in the latter stages.
On their day, they are capable of beating anyone.
That is what makes them so dangerous, you do not know which Portugal will turn up, making them unpredictable.
But there seems to a bond amongst the squad, all working towards the same cause, fighting for one another until the final whistle.
Credit: Getty All roads lead to Qatar
Portugal will head to the FIFA World Cup this weekend with their first fixture being next Thursday against Ghana at 4pm (BST).
They then have their biggest test of the group as they face the likes of Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez as they take on Uruguay on Monday 28 November.
Their final group game against South Korea may have more importance depending on the outcome of the game against Uruguay.
Portu-geezers head off to Qatar
Portugal put in a solid performance this evening as they smashed Nigeria 4-0 in a largely one-sided contest.
The Super Eagles struggled to contain the hosts and were lucky to go in at the break only two goals down.
Despite keeping Santos’ side out for the opening twenty minutes of the second half, they were helpless to keep them out for the rest of the game.
Portugal will head to the FIFA World Cup full of confidence of what could be.
Credit: Getty FT: Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
A solid performance for Fernando Santos and his Portugal side.
They created problems for the visitors from start to finish.
Portuguese fans will be confident having seen their side in such good form heading to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
90+1. We are going to have two additional minutes.
It is mission accomplished here in Portugal.
They can fly to Qatar full of hope of what the tournament may bring.
Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
89. If anyone was questioning Portugal’s ability to score goals when Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t firing on all cylinders, their questions have been answered tonight.
CR7 may struggle to break into this team at the moment.
Nigeria are trying to run the clock down now, they have had enough for one evening.
Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
87. Portugal have really turned the screw in the last ten minutes.
The scoreline does reflect their efforts this evening.
Apart from a drab 20 minute period after half time, they have bossed this game from start to finish.
Credit: Getty Portugal 4-0 Nigeria
85. Great football by Fernando Santos’ side.
The assist by Ramos was sublime, with an elaborate flick at the near post, knocking it into the path of Mario.
It was more difficult to miss the chance such was the approach play.
Goal – Joao Mario (Portugal)
Portugal 3-0 Nigeria
83. What a costly miss that penalty really was for the Super Eagles.
No sooner was it cleared, Portugal broke with real pace.
Laying it on a plate for Ramos to open his account.
Goal – Goncalo Ramos (Portugal)
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
82. The Nigerian players argue about who will take the kick.
Emmanuel Dennis grabbed the ball and decided to take it.
Not a convincing penalty which allows Patricio to tip it onto the post.
Penalty saved by Rui Patricio
Penalty to Nigeria
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
80. Dalot is penalised for a foul on Samuel.
Nigeria counter attack quickly, stretching the defence.
VAR is having a look at this, it could be a penalty.
Credit: Alamy Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
78. Portugal will face much stronger sides than this in Qatar.
When it comes to the group stages, you have to beat the sides put in front of you, so tonight’s experience could be key.
Ramos manages to win a corner off Bassey.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria – Felix chance
76. Joao Felix has another chance to get himself on the scoresheet as he keeps making moves into dangerous areas.
Taking the shot on first time, a little wide in the box, he looks to bury the ball in the far corner of the goal.
The ball narrowly misses the back post with goalkeeper beaten.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria – Felix chance
74. Portugal attack at pace.
Joao Felix is free at the back post and the ball is played to his feet.
He looks to get a shot off which slightly deflects making the fingertip save by Uzoho all the much better.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria – Chukwueze chance
72. Chukwueze has a first chance of the game for Nigeria.
He loses his man and has a sight of goal and looks to put it in the far corner.
Patricio does brilliantly to save with his legs at the expense of a corner.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
70. Santos’ side seem to overcomplicate things at times.
Looking to play three of four passes to do something they could do in two.
It all gets congested on the edge of the box with Portugal unable to play through the West Africans.
Credit: Reuters
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
68. Portugal are probing and prodding the Nigerian defence again.
Neither side has been much of an attacking threat in this half.
It has turned into more of an exhibition match now.
Not quite like that dancing contest with Tommy Fury on the weekend.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
66. There are jeers all around the stadium as the referee fails to award a free kick for a challenge on Joao Felix.
He takes his frustration out on Bassey giving away a free kick.
Portugal are guilty of trying one too many passes when attacking.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
64. Portugal break with Andre Silva.
They have numbers over the visitors.
Silva slides it to his right to Joao Mario who looks to return the favour but can only find a Nigerian defender.
He should have taken that one on himself.
Portugal 2-0 Nigeria
62. Moses Simon is fouled by Mario on the edge of the box.
Pushing Simon in the back as he glided passed him.
It is in a wide area so would be difficult to trouble Rui Patricio from here.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
