Ronaldo misses big chances in Portugal’s World Cup warmup win over Nigeria | World Cup 2026 News
Portugal Prepares for World Cup After Warmup Victory Against Nigeria
LEIRIA, Portugal (June 10, 2026) — Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in a warmup match ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, despite missed opportunities from veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
The match, held on Wednesday, showcased Portugal’s attacking potential but also highlighted concerns regarding Ronaldo’s performance. The 41-year-old forward, who holds the record for the most international goals by a male player with 143, was unable to capitalize on several clear chances, including opportunities with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Ronaldo was substituted in the 65th minute after playing longer than any other starting outfield player. He is set to make his sixth World Cup appearance, a record he will share with few others in the tournament’s history.
Pedro Neto opened the scoring for Portugal in the 23rd minute, only for Nigeria’s Akor Adams to level the match 14 minutes later. Francisco Conceicao, who came on as a substitute, netted the winning goal in the 75th minute with a well-placed shot into the far corner.
Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, made eight substitutions at halftime, aiming to provide playing time for as many squad members as possible.
In the World Cup, Portugal will compete in Group K alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Their first match will take place next Wednesday in Houston, Texas, against the DRC, kicking off at noon local time (1700 GMT).
This victory follows another 2-1 win against Chile in a previous friendly. Meanwhile, Nigeria will shift its focus to qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after resting key players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman for the friendly against Portugal.
