Portugal faces Nigeria, in what will be the only challenge to prepare for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and will not be able to count on captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is recovering from an upset stomach.
Bruno Fernandes had his first chance in the eighth minute, with a deflected shot, but it didn’t take long for the net to shake. In the next minute, João Félix discovers Diogo Dalot on the right who enters the area and serves his teammate for 1-0.
BRUNOOOO!!! João Félix’s pass… @selecaoportugal #sporttvportugal #PORTUGALnaSPORTTV #Portugal #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/UHfEAy8S5W
– SPORT TV (@SPORTTVPortugal) November 17, 2022
After 14 minutes, Nuno Mendes almost made a work of art, we will have to see if it was on purpose. In a corner from the right, the full-back combines with Bruno Fernandes and in the corner of the box he finishes off on goal, but the ball goes slightly wide.
Shortly after, it was João Félix’s turn, after a shot from distance, to get close to Portugal’s second goal.
The Nigerians showed themselves for the first time in the 31st minute. Moses Simon received the ball from the left, put it in and shot at Rui Patrício.
After a long time with the ball in Portugal’s possession, Bernardo Silva received it from the left and center, but the Nigerian defender cut with his arm and was awarded a penalty. Bruno Fernandes did not hesitate and scored twice in the 35th minute.
BIS DO BRUNO! 🇧🇷@selecaoportugal #sporttvportugal #PORTUGALnaSPORTTV #Portugal #Nigeria #BrunoFernandes pic.twitter.com/viRzKzQS3w
– SPORT TV (@SPORTTVPortugal) November 17, 2022
In the 45th minute the hat-trick was almost given in Alvalade. Great pass from João Félix to isolate Bruno Fernandes, the midfielder gets the goalkeeper out of the way, but, on the difficulty, he shoots wide. Shortly after, the referee whistled the break.
Returning for the second half, Fernando Santos changes four players. Raphaël Guerreiro, Pepe, Vitinha and João Mário enter and Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva leave. In Nigeria, Chukwueze and Onyeka enter so that Ndidi and Lookman leave.
Eleven from Portugal: Rui Patrício; Dalot, Rúben Dias, António Silva, Nuno Mendes, William, Otávio, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Félix and André Silva;
Nigerian XI: Uzoho; Osayi-Samuel, Akpoguma, Ekong and Bassey; Aribo, Ndidi and Iwobi; Lookman, Moffi and Simon.
Substitutes for Portugal: José Sá, Pepe, Guerreiro, Palhinha, Danilo, Rafael Leão, Vitinha, João Mário, Rúben Neves, Cancelo, Ricardo Horta, Diogo Costa, Matheus Nunes and Gonçalo Ramos.
Nigeria Substitutes: Okoye, Adeleye, Duru, Etebo, Dessers, Chukwueze, Bonaventure, Onyeka, Onuachu, Chidozie, Ebuehi and Onyemaechi.
Source: TSF
