Ronaldo Misses as Portugal Finish World Cup Warmup With a Win

Less than 24 hours remain before the start of the 2026 World Cup, but Portugal have not yet left home. On Wednesday evening, the 2016 European champions played their final warmup match before flying to the United States, beating Nigeria 2-1 in Leiria.

Cristiano Ronaldo kept his place up front and played 65 minutes this time, not just one half, but like in the 2-1 win over Chile, he was unable to find the net and registered two big misses. In the absence of the suspended Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto was given a place in the starting lineup and responded with a goal. Francisco Conceicao decided it with a superb finish in the 75th minute, after a temporary equalizer by Akor Adams for the Nigerians, who will not take part in the World Cup.

Portugal lineup: Diogo Costa, Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Francisco Trincao, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo. Also played: Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Tomas Araujo, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Samu Costa, Joao Felix, Francisco Conceicao, Goncalo Ramos, Mateus Nunes.

Match action

9th minute: Ronaldo was left alone in front of the goalkeeper after an excellent pass from Semedo, but shot wide and wasted a great chance.

23rd minute: Goal! Dalot was sent into the box on the left side and set up Neto, who fired a low shot into the net. 0-1 to Portugal.

37th minute: Goal! Adams took advantage of a big mistake in Portugal's makeshift defense and beat Costa. 1-1.

48th minute: Substitute Felix unleashed a shot from 17 meters, the ball shook the crossbar and seemed to land just beyond the goal line, but there is no goal-line technology and the assistant referee could not tell for certain.

75th minute: Goal! Cancelo passed to Conceicao, who cut in from the right and sent a sharp left-footed shot into the far corner from 14 meters. 1-2 to Portugal.

Portugal will begin its World Cup campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo next Wednesday (20:00). On June 23, it will face Uzbekistan at the same time, and on June 28 it will close out Group 11 against Colombia at 2:30 a.m.