Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in an international friendly game with goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao that rendered Akor Adams’ strike a consolation in Lisbon on Wednesday.
Neto put the Portuguese team in front in the 23rd minute of the match, after unleashing a ferocious shot in the box, beating Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye to send the spectators into a wide jubilation.
Moments after the goal, the centre referee calls for a water-break and after the restart of the game, Nigeria made several efforts to level with Calvin Bassey coming very close, unleaching a long-range shot which went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Eric Chelle’s men finally levelled in the 37th minute with a well-taken strike by Adams, after he was set up by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, following a long-range pass from goalkeeper Okoye.
Coach Roberto Martinez made a number of changes, including substituting Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo after the half-time break. Nigeria head coach, Chelle also made a number of changes to his side.
Portugal dominated the second-half of the duel and came close to securing the victory but for the heroic display of Okoye that denied the side.
With the game looking to end in a draw, Conceicao secured a morale-boosting win for Portugal after he struck a shot inside the box to beat the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper.
Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi made his 100th appearance for Nigeria, since he debuted for the three-time African champions on October 8, 2015 against DR Congo.
The Portuguese side are in group k along with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, with their first match scheduled against the African side on Wednesday, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hostee by the United States of America. Mexico and Canada.
Nigeria will kickstart their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign against Madagascar on September 23.
